Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government

Background

In 2008 the Minister for Local Government and the Minister for Women established this awards program as part of International Women’s Day celebrations to recognise outstanding contributions and achievements made by women in local government in NSW to and for the local government sector.

The awards aim to:

• Recognise and increase public awareness of the contribution of women to local government in NSW
• Encourage more women to take on leadership roles in local government in NSW

There are three categories of award:

1. Elected Representative (metropolitan council and regional/rural council)
2. Staff Member (metropolitan council and regional/rural council)
3. Non-Senior Staff Member (metropolitan council and regional/rural council)

2010 Awards

The awards will be held again in 2010, the Year of Women in Local Government. Nominations are open until 5.00 pm on Friday 4 December 2009. Selection criteria for all Award categories are detailed in the Circular to Councils (see link below).

• Circular to Councils 09/38 - 2010 Ministers' Awards for Women in Local Government - Call for Nominations
• Nomination Form
• Council classification list

• Winners of the 2009 Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government
• Winners of the 2008 Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government

Winners of the 2009 Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government

The winners of the 2009 awards were presented by the Minister for Local Government, the Hon Barbara Perry MP and the Minister for Women, the Hon Verity Firth MP, at a function held at Parliament House on 16 March 2009.

1. Regional/rural staff representative – Ms Leanne Barnes

Ms Barnes joined Bega Valley Shire Council in 2002 and is the Group Manager of Customer Service and Community Development.

Ms Barnes was nominated because of her contribution in the areas of corporate and social planning with an emphasis on consultation and inclusion. Ms Barnes led a community based Social Planning Conference in 2005 and oversaw the creation of a 20 year plan for the provision of services and facilities.

Ms Barnes has also contributed greatly towards reconciliation in her community. Ms Barnes was the instigator of a Memorandum of Understanding between Council and the three local Aboriginal Land Councils. Her efforts earned Council the NSW Local Government Aboriginal Network Council of the Year Award in 2003.

To support the advancement of women in local government Ms Barnes has played a strong mentoring role and initiated a mentoring program for women in Council to increase women’s participation in local government.

Ms Barnes’ contributions to her Council and leadership qualities led to her now being Council’s designated Acting General Manager.

2. Metropolitan staff representative – Ms Penny Holloway

Ms Holloway has been the General Manager of North Sydney Council for over 7 years.

Ms Holloway was nominated because of her contribution to the development of the local government profession and the advancement of women within local government. Ms Holloway has demonstrated strong involvement with Local Government Managers Australia to support and develop professionals in the local government sector.

To support the advancement of women in local government Ms Holloway chairs the LGMA NSW Women’s Committee and launched its Action Plan for Women in 2007. From the Action Plan two Women’s Forums are held each year and a mentoring program has been implemented. In addition, Ms Holloway has participated in the NSW Government’s Lucy Mentoring Program and has mentored many women in local government.

Ms Holloway has also contributed towards the environment and sustainability. Under the leadership of Ms Holloway, Council has received a number of awards in this field, including: LGSA Excellence in Environment Awards, Keep Australia Beautiful Sustainable Cities Awards, Sustainable Water Challenge Awards and Energy and Water Green Globe Awards.

3. Regional/rural elected representative – Clr Sue Whelan

Clr Sue Whelan has served continuously on Queanbeyan City Council since 1983.

Clr Whelan was nominated because of her sustained focus and contribution to local government and her community over a number of years. Clr Whelan has actively served on a number of Council’s committees, including the Planning Review and Development Committee, Heritage Committee and the Workplace Consultative Committee.

Clr Whelan’s leadership is demonstrated by her service as Deputy Mayor on a number of occasions. She has also held leadership positions in organisations such as the Capital Region Development Board, the Country Public Libraries Association NSW and the South East Australian Transport Strategy Group.

To increase women’s participation in local government Clr Whelan has been an active member of ALGWA NSW and encourages women to stand for Council as well as entering local government as a profession. Clr Whelan has also been involved with State and Commonwealth Governments to develop the Hands up for Women program and The Way Forward respectively.

4. Metropolitan elected representative – Clr Tania Mihailuk

Clr Tania Mihailuk has been Mayor of Bankstown City Council since 2006.

Clr Mihailuk was nominated because of her significant contributions to local government in a range of areas.

As the first mayor of Council of non-English speaking background, Clr Mihailuk has made a considerable contribution to multicultural relations within her community. Clr Mihailuk played an important role in repairing cultural relations following the Cronulla Riots through events such as the Bankstown to Cronulla Peace Train. Clr Mihailuk also instigated the introduction of a Multicultural Taskforce which developed the Multicultural Strategy and led to a permanent Multicultural Advisory Committee for Council. In responding to the needs of her community Clr Mihailuk has ensured the translation of Council materials into community languages for radio and newspaper.

To promote reconciliation Clr Mihailuk hosted a special screening of the Prime Minister’s apology to the Stolen Generations and hosts an annual Sorry Day event involving local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Clr Mihailuk is also passionate about community empowerment and governance and established the Community Participation Taskforce to facilitate a well-informed community and effective citizen involvement. This Taskforce has led to a 2 year pilot Residents’ Panel.

Further to these achievements, Clr Mihailuk has driven the Bankstown CBD Renewal Program and championed the Bankstown Economic Development Taskforce. From this Clr Mihailuk ensured Council establish the Bankstown Business Advisory Service for local small business operators.

To increase women’s participation in local government Clr Mihailuk has hosted a series of events and forums and has mentored young women in politics and government through leadership programs.

Winners of the 2008 Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government

1. Urban council elected representative - Clr Joyce Wheatley

Clr Joyce Wheatley served on Kiama Council from 1980 to 2008.

Clr Wheatley was nominated because of her outstanding contribution to local government, particularly as a catalyst for women’s participation and leadership for over 28 years. Clr Wheatley’s contributions included establishing ALGWA NSW women’s workshops to inspire women to run for local government, mentoring new councillors and serving on various state and national committees encouraging women to participate in local government. As a result of her tireless efforts in this area, Clr Wheatley has been awarded life membership of ALGWA NSW.

Clr Wheatley’s nomination indicates that her influence and achievements do not rest solely with her activities to increase women’s participation in local government. Clr Wheatley has also been a member of the Local Government Association’s Executive and Committees since 1988 and served as Vice President Country for the Local Government Association from 1994 to 2006.

Clr Wheatly has also shown committed leadership at a state and regional level in relation to a range of issues including equity for people with a disability, financial security and autonomy for local government and environment and heritage.

2. Urban council staff representative - Ms Candy Nay

Ms Candy Nay was Marrickville Council’s General Manager between 2003 and 2008.

Ms Nay was nominated because of her contribution to a number of awards won by Marrickville Council, including the 2002 WorkCover NSW Employer of the Year award for significant improvement in workplace safety; the 2004 AR Bluett Award for greatest relative progress of an urban NSW council; a silver International Award for Liveable Communities in relation to working with the community to enhance the landscape, heritage, environmentally sensitive practices, community sustainability and planning for the future; the public sector Employer of Choice award at the 2006 Australian HR Awards; and the 2006 NSW LGMA’s Management Excellence Award for Council’s strategic planning framework.

In addition, Ms Nay has contributed significantly to Marrickville Council’s progressive reform program process which has resulted in organisational cultural change and a contemporary, high performing and innovating organisation that has enhanced the lives of the citizens of Marrickville and is a benchmark for other councils.

3. Rural council elected representative - Clr Denise Osborne

Clr Denise Osborne has 17 years’ experience as a councillor on Greater Hume Shire Council and has been Mayor for the past 6 years.

Clr Osborne was nominated because she achieved an external community focus by initiating the practice of holding a public forum prior to each council meeting to allow residents the opportunity to raise issues which they would like to see addressed. Clr Osborne also took an active part in initiating public consultation by taking Council’s draft Management Plan on a roadshow throughout the community, writing on a monthly basis for three community newsletters and taking part in community and commercial radio discussions in order to inform and engage her community.

Clr Osborne has been active in approaching community members about putting themselves forward for election. Clr Osborne has also been a keynote speaker at business and professional women’s meetings in order to raise the profile of women in local government.

4. Rural council staff representative - Mrs Vas Roberts
Mrs Vas is currently Narromine Council’s Executive Services Manager after having commenced working for Council in 1982 as the Shire Clerk’s Secretary and completing a Bachelor of Business (Local Government) during this period.

Mrs Roberts was nominated because she continuously strives to improve Council’s profile in the community by ensuring that Council complies with all legislative requirements.

Mrs Roberts has an astute legal mind and detailed knowledge of the Local Government Act and associated legislation, and her portfolio of responsibilities is large and wide-ranging.

Mrs Roberts is a widely respected member of the community, loyal and hardworking, always striving to improve work practices at Council and has mentored a number of staff members, instilling in them a strong work ethic and desire for continuous improvement of their skills.

Mrs Roberts has demonstrated leadership with an internal management focus while rising through Council’s ranks to become a valued manager and mentor at Council.