Ladies, the council needs you

WOMEN interested in running for council this October are encouraged to join Ruth McGowan when she hosts “How to get elected” this Saturday (February 29).

Organised by the City of Greater Geelong, the workshop will see Ms McGowan, an experienced independent political campaigner and author of Get Elected – a step-by-step guide to winning public office, share informed advice on planning a successful campaign.

According to Local Government Victoria, although more than half of the administrative workforce in the local government sector is female, less than half of the directors and managers are women.

When comparing the region’s councils, there are more male councillors at both the city and the Surf Coast Shire than there are female councillors. However, the mayors of both councils are women (Cr Stephanie Asher and Cr Rose Hodge respectively).

Kaarina Phyland, the city’s director of people and culture, said the council employed a workforce of 1,697 females (64 per cent) and 958 (36 per cent) males, while the shire’s general manager of culture and community Chris Pike said about 47 per cent of the council’s leaders (including general managers, managers, co-ordinators and team leaders) were female.

Mr Pike also said eight of the 14 staff members to receive internal promotions in the past 12 months were women.

Women in Local Democracy (WILD) Geelong convenor Jenny Wills said the group – which champions equality in governance – had been working with the city for the past decade to increase female representation in local government.

She said WILD had been running workshops to equip women with the skills and tools required to put their campaigns into action.

“We’ve been working with council and the Victorian Local Governance Association in running a series of workshops for potential candidates and these are available to women throughout the wider Barwon region.

“There are women who want to see women in leadership but don’t necessarily want to stand themselves.

“Now that we’re into 2020, women will be looking at making their decisions (to run for local government). We’ve had well-attended workshops last year but now it’s getting close to the time for women to make that commitment.

“And it’s not just a question of getting the numbers, but getting women who can get informed and play a part in good governance for the development of the city.”

The workshop is being held at the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre this Saturday. Registrations open at 8.30am, with the workshop running from 9am-1pm.

To purchase tickets, head to eventbrite.com.au.