The National Steering Committee for the Year of Women in Local Government has announced 21 ambassadors for its 2010 celebrations. Over the next 18 months these ambassadors will undertake the role of champions and role models for the advancement of women in Local Government and will each make a valuable contribution to the success of the Year of Women in Local Government 2010.
The ambassadors are:
In Western Australia
• Vicky Small – Manager Customer Service and Information Services – Shire of Augusta – Margaret River
• Kat Pinder– Community Development Officer – access and inclusion – City of Swan
• Councillor Elizabeth Re – City of Stirling
• Jonathan Throssell – CEO – Shire of Mundaring
In Queensland
• Sharon Solyma – Community Grants & Research officer – Gold Coast City Council
• Councillor Joyce Crombie – Diamantina Shire Council
• Michelle McFadyen – CEO – Longreach City Council
In New South Wales
• Neryl East – Manager Media and Communications – Shellharbour City Council
• Councillor Bruce Miller – President NSW Shire’s Association
• Dr Maree Smith – Laboratory Manager – Port Macquarie/Hastings Council
• Councillor Karen McKeown – Penrith City Council
In the Northern Territory
• Sandra Cannon – CEO – Victoria Daly Shire
• Ms Pam Robinson OAM – Manager Climate Change and Environment – Darwin City Council
In Tasmania
• Abyilene McGuire – Senior Environmental Health Officer – Kingborough Council
In Victoria
• Councillor Yvonne Jennings – Swan Hill Rural City Council
• Fiona Hodges – GM Community Wellbeing – Cardinia Shire
• Noelene Duff – CEO – City of Whitehorse
In South Australia
• Jane Fetherstonhaugh – Director of Finance and Community Services/ Dep. CEO – District Council of Grant
• Tanya Hook – Project officer – City of Tea tree Gully
• Councillor Angela Keneally – City of Charles Sturt
• Rebecca Thomas – General Manager City Services – City of Holdfast Bay.
Steering Committee Chairman, Mr. Ray Pincombe, said “The task before the selection panel was a very difficult one, with over 60 outstanding nominations received. These ambassadors provide a great representation of the varied roles and responsibilities that exist within local government. Each ambassador is committed to promoting the advancement of women within the sector, both in management and at the council level and they have great stories to tell about their own personal journeys in local government”.
The topic of women in local government and in particular women in management and leadership positions in local government has been around for a long time. All levels of government are acutely aware of the barriers facing women, yet nationally only a handful of councils are addressing the issue. Currently women in senior management roles represent only 20% of the local government workforce; a representation that has not changed since 1996. Only 5% of chief executives or general managers are women, and women represent less than 30% of all elected members.
For more information contact Roni Beauchamp on + 61 3 9682 9222 / 0448 810 660
Elizabeth Re says she was surprised and honored at being named an ambassador for the Year of Women in Local Government.
The honour saw her fly to Canberra to meet with the other delegates and attend the launch of the “Women in Leadership” publication, a book that features 12 women in politics, with a double page feature on Elizabeth’s contribution and her vision for women in leadership.
“If someone had said to me that I would have been in Canberra two weeks ago, having dinner at Parliament house withPrime Minster Rudd before his demise and that I was going to be one of the twelve women who were selected from all the women in Local, State and Federal parliament in Australia, to be written about in the book ” Women in Politics ” and that they would put the quote I gave them on the front cover, I would have to say that you were dreaming. But the reality is, that’s exactly what has happened and I’m surprised and thrilled,” says Elizabeth.
“The main thing I would like to achieve is to encourage all the good people ( men and women ) to stand up and give women a chance ( even just the opportunity to act in positions ) and when these good people come forward it will help stamp out the discrimination and bullying that is still so prevalent in the workplace today and is the main deterrent why women have not been utilized to their best potential,” continues Elizabeth.
Elizabeth Re attended the Princess in Petticoats & Pearls event organised by Women Can International Inc in celebration of International Women’s Day, held at Lily of the Valley Cafe in Henley Brook on 6 March 2010. Read more below.
Whether you are walking your dog , taking your kids on bikes, pushing a pram, in a wheels chair, pushing a frame or having to use a walking stick, you want the peace of mind that you are not going to be injured during this process.
Elizabeth Re remembers when her oldest son was born and he was not a sleeper, so rather than wake the whole household, she used to walk him around Jackadder Lake, and there was no footpath, so it was difficult in the long grass and dangerous on the roads. She wrote to the Stirling Council about establishing a footpath around the lake and was told NO!
Seven years later when her boys were learning to ride their bikes, Elizabeth went to a council meeting with a petition for a footpath to be established around the lake and was again advised, “No!”, as a footpath would bring too many people to the Park!
Fifteen years later when Elizabeth was elected into the Council of the City of Stirling, Elizabeth put forward at budget time for the construction of a footpath round Jackadder Lake, and through her persistence and against strong opposition, the footpath was finally passed and the footpath is used regularly by young and old people, who now feel safe and happy.
Elizabeth also had initial opposition to footpaths along Cedric street and more recently around Dongara Reserve in Innaloo, all of which have now been completed, much to the exhilaration and happiness of the community.
Pictured here with Sarah Solich from Dianella, Elizabeth enjoyed working with Sarah at the WOW presentation in Forrest Chase.
Elizabeth met Sarah at the Princesses in Petticoats & Pearls event hosted by Women Can International Inc at The Lily of the Valley Cafe in Henley Brook in March 2010. Since then, Sarah has been getting more involved in supporting community events and was at WOW helping Kath Mazzella OAM from GAIN Inc (Gynaecological Awareness Information Network) to spread Sexual and Gynae Health Awareness information in the community.
Elizabeth and Sarah both enjoyed the event and discussed the level of support for young people.
Elizabeth sees the cost of education as ever increasing and feels that the HECS Debt needs to be reduced, more services for students provided and the HECS CPI abolished.
Having raised two sons and seeing them both through University Degree programs, Elizabeth understands that education is important and very costly and would like to see our young professionals less burdened financially as they begin their careers.
On the day Elizabeth helped out in many ways. She was the judge for the Fashion Parade, which included girls as young as 8 years through to the more senior women of over 70.
It was a fabulous fun day of frollicking with cups of tea and jam and scones on the lawn at the fabulous Lily of the Valley Cafe in Henley Brook in the Swan Valley.
Elizabeth also pulled the winning tickets out of a hat for the lucky door prizes and presented the awards for the best dressed and best model in the parade.
“It’s wonderful to see women from all the different generations getting together to celebrate International Women’s Day”, said Elizabeth. “I can’t wait until next year and they’re expecting quite a bigger crowd now that the word is out what a great event it is.”
Hayley Solich, Chairperson and Founder of Women Can International Inc says, “Liz was fabulous. Had I realised how accomplished she was I would have created a speaking slot for her but it was a bit of a last minute invitation and we felt very privileged that she would support our event. She was so willing to jump in and help out with all aspects of the day. The world needs more people like Liz who are just willing to serve in whatever capacity is required. I really appreciated her flexibility and her lack of pretence.”
More photos from the day…
13/Oct/2009
By Chris Robinson, Stirling Times
Comments: 1 reader has left a comment
WOODLANDS residents have expressed their concern about a new development that could see high voltage powerlines moved to within metres of homes and a childcare centre.
The powerlines are set to run down the centre of a realigned stretch of Ewen Street, which will be moved farther south to make way for a new development site, pending final approval from the City of Stirling.
But homeowners, whose properties back onto the site, say they are worried about the impact of powerlines running so close to their back yards.
Hakea Road resident Monique Wesley said it would be a “great concern” if the planned work was to go ahead.
“I have a one-year-old and a two-year-old, and I don’t really like the idea of them playing underneath powerlines without knowing what the long-term effects might be,” she said.
Doubleview ward councillor Elizabeth Re said she had spoken to several residents who were concerned about the close proximity of the proposed lines. “They’ve put the concrete footings in place for the poles, and we’re trying to stop it before they go in,” she said.
Western Power spokeswoman Marisa Chapman said a minimum 16-metre easement had been utilised between powerlines and buildings, including the recently opened Cuddly Bear Childcare Centre.
13/10/2009
It’s disturbing that a lovely quite cul-de-sac should be encroached upon by such high voltage cabling. Unless the are was previously designated for such an installation (and it wasn’t), such devices should be kept well away from housing.
Doesn’t Cr Elizabeth Re live within meters of the proposed development?
Taken from: http://stirling.inmycommunity.com.au/news-and-views/local-news/Stir-over-high-voltage-lines/7537985/
