The Australian Local Government Women’s Association met this week for their National Annual Networking Breakfast, held in conjunction with the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) National General Assembly.  

The meeting brought together Government ministers and senators, presidents of related organisations, mayors, councillors and a range of others with an interest in Local Government. The event was praised as a great networking opportunity for attendees too.

In her address, President of ALGWA Kathy Bensted made a poignant observation, saying; “The 20 percent of male delegates attending this morning’s breakfast, if taken as a proportion of women in senior management positions, would actually be more than is actually in the Local Government workforce.  ALGWA continues to support and encourage women to achieve employment in senior positions in councils, which then creates a workplace that inspires women to seek leadership roles as elected members of their councils.”

The Australian Local Government Women’s Association raised $5000 to back their unanimous support for a “Yes” vote in the upcoming national referendum to recognise local government. While accepting the cheque the President of the ALGA, Mayor Felicity-Ann Lewis said “other key organisations should follow ALGWA’s lead and financially support this very important issue.”