The following comprehensive report on the Victorian State Conference has been kindly compiled by Cr Pat Claridge of Benalla Rural City Council. It has been slightly abridged, and some additional comments added by Cr Helen Harris of Whitehorse Council.
The conference was excellent both in terms of venue, organisation and content. The event was hosted by the City of Melbourne, making available the Yarra Room in the Melbourne Town Hall and the portico overlooking Swanston Street. The City of Melbourne also hosted the pre conference dinner and conference catering. All three women councillors from the City of Melbourne attended and made brief speeches, including the Deputy Lord Mayor, Cr Susan Riley.
Highlights included:-
Dr Kathy Alexander, former South Australian Telstra Business Woman of the Year and Chief Executive Officer of the City of Melbourne since April 2008. Kathy has a national reputation for stakeholder engagement and community participation in social planning. Kathy spoke on the 5 R’s Relationships, Respect, Ridiculousness, Range and Reflective Listening.
Professor Graham Sansom from the Australian Centre of Excellence in Local Government: The Centre is funded for 7 years and will focus on 6 programs: - Research and policy; Innovation and better practice; Governance and strategic leadership; Capacity building; Workforce development; Rural and remote local government.
Initiatives regarding women include:-
Obtaining a clear agreed statement from all Australian Local Government Ministers around issues confronting women.
Reinstatement of the National Steering Committee to oversee implementation of ‘The Way Forward’.
Funding for ongoing data collection re women’s participation in local government to monitor implementation of initiatives Funding for ALGWA awards and accreditation programs.
129 Councils have already adopted the Statement of Commitment to increase women's participation in government to adequately reflect their communities.
Professor Sansom also quoted the results of the ALGWA survey on issues confronting women in local government - available on ALGWA’s national website www.algwa.net.au.
He stressed the need to align Women in Local Government Strategies to the three key challenges facing Local government as a whole:-
Relevance – responding to a changing society with an appropriate mix of services Capacity – Recruiting and retaining talented staff, training, employer of choice Credibility – better governance, better leadership, better image.
Naomi Brown, CEO of Allied Fire and Emergency Service. There are no other women in the positions of Chief Fire Officers or Deputies or any women waiting in the wings. Naomi spoke of her career and involvement in the field of emergency services.
Marcia Griffin, 1995 Telstra Businesswoman of the year, now in her late sixties and launching a new skin care range through 700 Target stores. Marcia, a former teacher, spoke on the merits of resilience, hard work, self- belief and focusing on positives not negatives.
Colleen Hartland came from an impoverished background and could barely read when she left school. She spoke of her community activities and involvement, including serving as a Councillor for the city of Maribynong. She is now a Member of the Legislative Council for the Western Metropolitan Region.
Paul Wheelton, Chairman of Life Education Australia and owner of the largest Budget Franchise in Australia, spoke on how to juggle the many demands and commitments that people have.
Melissa Fyffe, State political writer The Age 55% of articles are driven by public relations, ie are presented to the media, rather than researched and written by journalists. Newspaper media are understaffed and under pressure to do more in less time. Conflict based stories get priority. It is good basic journalism to give parties involved the right of reply; but not all journalists follow this.
Melinda Wealands, Women’s Planning Network. Gender balance in planning is 50/50 but drops off in senior levels. The Women's Planning Network and the Planning Institute of Australia (Vic Division) offer a 9 month mentor program matching experienced professionals as mentors with mentees.
Latest research project 2008/09 – “History of Women in Planning in Victoria" The planning aspects most important to women are safety and accessibility.
Senator Judith Troeth chaired the inquiry on Women’s Representation on Regional & Rural Bodies of Influence. Disappointed at the low numbers of women in parliament, she will be supporting quotas for women’s representation in government, as the only way to achieve substantial improvement.
Should you have any further questions please click here to email us.
