Female leaders steer the city

TWO teenage girls made history last month when they were named the first female leadership team of the City of Greater Geelong’s youth council, which entered its second term this year.

Farzana Hussaini, 15, was named junior mayor while Ashley Delaney, 15, was appointed junior deputy mayor following a vote by their fellow youth councillors.

The pair join mayor Stephanie Asher and deputy Kylie Grzybek in an all-female leadership alliance at the city, holding all four mayoral positions between them.

Cr Grzybek said she was pleased to see an increase in female representation across a range of sectors.

“I feel really encouraged to see more women in leadership positions, not just in our region, but across Victoria and the nation,” she said.

“Governments, businesses and organisations benefit substantially from empowering and supporting female employees.”

Cr Asher became the second female to hold the mayor title since the city’s establishment in 1993 when she was elected in October last year.

When Cr Grzybek joined Cr Asher as deputy mayor, they became the city’s first all-female leadership team.

Cr Asher said the results of the council and youth council elections were reflective of a “welcome shift” in society towards giving an influential voice to more capable women.