Women in Local Government
It has been apparent for some time that women are under-represented in Local Government, both as Council Members and within senior staffing positions. Nationally 45% of the Local Government workforce are women, however, only 20% of these women work in a professional position.
In South Australia, only 24% of senior managers in Councils are women and only four Councils out of 68 have a female Chief Executive Officer.
After the 2010 Local Government elections in South Australia the elected percentages were as follows:
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27% of South Australian Council Members are women with the metropolitan/rural comparisons showing 32% of metropolitan Council Members are women and 24% of rural Council Members are women
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19% of South Australian Mayors/Chairpersons are women with the metropolitan/rural comparisons showing 32% of metropolitan Mayors are women and 15% of rural Mayors/Chairpersons are women.
In the past, the LGA has undertaken a range of actions seeking to address this gender imbalance, often with State or Commonwealth support, through individual Councils, or networks within Local Government such as the Local Government Women's Association (ALGWA) and Local Government Managers Australia, SA Branch (LGMA SA).
At its meeting of 22 November 2007 the LGA State Executive Committee endorsed the establishment of a working group on Women in Local Government to assist the Minister for State/Local Government Relations, the LGA and the Office for State Local Government Relations (OSLGR) to determine key issues regarding the under-representation of women in Local Government. A Women in Local Government Strategy was developed by this group and a copy of this strategy is attached below:
Women in Local Government Strategy 
(141 kb).
The South Australian Branch of the Australian Local Government Women's Association, SA Division has an active Committee with members from metropolitan and rural Councils and other agencies associated with Local Government. Members include women elected and working in Local Government.
For further information please visit https://sites.google.com/site/algwasa/Home
The Local Government Managers Australia, SA Division represents professionals working in Local Government in South Australia many of whom are women. LGMA delivers high quality professional development programs, acknowledges achievements of excellence and provides opportunities to share information and knowledge and to gain collegiate support.
For further information please visit http://www.lgmasa.org.au/.
In 2010 a joint national initiative was undertaken by LGMA, LGA and ALGWA under the Year of Women in Local Government (YoWiLG) banner. It was a celebration of the significant contribution that women make to Local Government with a primary focus of raising awareness and promoting the need for increased participation of women in executive and elected leadership roles within Councils and shires across Australia.
A dedicated website was established as the primary communication portal for the Year of Women in Local Government at http://www.lgwomen2010.org.au/.
A Women Ambassadors' Program was established as part of the 2010 Year of Women in Local Government to act as role-models and champions for increased participation of women into executive and leadership roles.
The Ambassadors for South Australia were:
- Jane Fetherstonhaugh - Director of Finance and Community Services / Dep. CEO - District Council of Grant
- Tanya Hook - Project Officer - City of Tea Tree Gully
- Councillor Angela Keneally - City of Charles Sturt
- Rebecca Thomas (Young Ambassador) - General Manager City Services - City of Holdfast Bay
A copy of the 2010 South Australian Year of Women in Local Government calendar of events is attached below:
2010 Year of Women in Local Government calendar for SA (131 kb)
Links
Women in Local Government - On the Move & Moving Forward
Mayor Felicity-ann Lewis is the immediate past President of the Local Government Association, the City of Marion's first-ever female Mayor and its longest serving Mayor - over ten years.
Mayor Lewis believes strongly in good governance and has supported reform in how Council approaches its strategic and community planning.
As an advocate for Local Government Mayor Lewis has promoted Marion Council and the community by developing strong alliances with all levels of government and has established good working relations with neighbouring councils.
Mayor Lewis received the Flinders University 2007 Distinguished Alumni Award for her significant contribution to Local Government and the university. She was also the proud recipient of the 2008 John Legoe Award which recognises the personal and professional development of Council Members and their commitment and service to their communities.
A passionate supporter of reform in Local Government, she has served on the LGA State Executive Committee since 2001, the LGA Metropolitan Local Government Group and was elected Vice President of the LGA in 2006. She was an inaugural member of the LGA Financial Sustainability Advisory Committee for 3 years as well as the LGA Governance Standards Advisory Committee.
Mayor Lewis has also been on the Adelaide Futures Project Group and was nominated by the LGA to be on the SA Planning & Development Review Steering Committee. In 2010 Mayor Lewis was elected as Vice President of the Australian Local Government Association and in 2011 was appointed as a Board Member of Regional Development Australia.
Mayor Lewis has a strong interest in health and environmental issues and in 2010 was appointed as a member of the Natural Resources Management Council.
Mayor Joy Baluch has presided over Port Augusta for 26 years as Mayor after serving a previous 11 years - between 1970 and 1981 as a Councillor. She is perhaps one of the best known political figures in South Australia and she certainly also carries a significant national reputation.
Her passion for her community and the economic and regional development of the Upper Spencer Gulf resulted in her being awarded the Order of Australia AM in 2007.
Mayor Baluch was President of the Local Government Association for two years until June 2009 after serving for 15 years on the executive including 13 years as Vice-President. She is also currently a member of several committees including Chairperson of the Upper Spencer Gulf Common Purpose Group and Chairperson of the Provincial Cities Association.
She made significant contributions to the establishment and operations of the Women's and Children's Emergency Shelter, the Child Care Centre, the Homeless Person's Hostel, Aged Care Hostel and the development of the Remote and Isolated Children's Exercise (RICE).
Mayor Baluch is a leader who commands respect and who calls a spade a spade, and who carries out her Mayoral and LGA Presidential roles with pride, passion and utmost dedication.
Mary Deakin CEO District Council of Elliston, completed her education in year 11 and as an adult went back to study, initially gaining qualifications in graphic design and commercial art, then a degree in Visual Arts with a major in fine arts. At the age of 36, with 3 children and working part time, she again went back to university to do a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Accounting and a minor in IT. When Ms Deakin completed her degree she separated from her husband and was a single mum working as an Administration Officer in an IT firm in Toowoomba in Queensland.
Ms Deakin set herself a goal to work her way up to senior management. She first moved to Katherine in the Northern Territory working in an Aboriginal Primary Health Care organisation for 10 months before moving to Tennant Creek to take up the role as Corporate Services Manager. Two years out of university Ms Deakin was working at management level. A small country town in one of the most remote areas in Australia gave her experiences she would never have had anywhere else. It also gave Ms Deakin her first experience in Local Government. After 2 years she moved to Darwin to work in Primary Health Care.
The next step on her career ladder came in the form of Deputy CEO at the Berri Barmera Council and in January 2012 she was appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer at the District Council of Elliston. Local Government makes Ms Deakin feel a part of a community and in her role she believes that she plays a part in contributing to the prosperity of the community in which she lives. While Primary Health Care organisations contribute to the physical health of a community, Local Government contributes to the social, economic and future health of the community. She believes that Local Government gives her the opportunity to add to the quality of life of those around her.
Ms Deakin is also passionate about is seeing women reach their full potential in life, whatever that may be. Over the years she has been involved in women's leadership, from taking women's ministry in church, to public speaking and to mentoring women in their career at an informal level.
Anita Crisp is the Executive Officer of the Central Local Government Region of SA and is also a community member on the State Government's Regional Communities Consultative Council and the LGA delegate to the Coast Protection Board.
She has had significant involvement in environmental based boards and committees as a former member of the State Dryland Salinity Committee and State NRM Council Assessment Sub Committee, Executive Officer of the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resource Management Group and Program Manager/Interim Executive Officer with the Northern and Yorke NRM Board. She has also assisted the LGA with early development and implementation of the Local Government Association Climate Change strategy and worked as the Economic & Community Development Officer with the District Council of LeHunte (now Wudinna).
She has also spent about five years in the Army Reserves, had a short and dismal teaching career and has worked in community services, retail, agriculture and as a research officer with a former Federal MP.
Anita has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Natural Resource Management), Graduate Diploma in Business (Administrative Management) and Graduate Diploma in Education.
Kiki Magro, CEO of the Town of Walkerville, has qualifications in the field of Industrial Relations and change management. She has spent most of her career at the cutting edge of major Workplace Reform initiatives. Early in her career she was invited to tutor in Industrial Relations for the University of South Australia and later as a lecturer for Deakin University attending to their Corporate Clients.
Kiki has worked in both the public and private sector, including consultancy work focusing on change through workplace reform. In later years she entered Local Government and helped to introduce continuous improvement initiatives (again through workplace reform) including process improvement initiatives that took a 'whole of organisation' approach with a critical focus on customer service. Her career and interest drove her to acquire post graduate qualifications in Change Management and after a successful term in Local Government decided to move into the private sector and open her own business. During this time Kiki became a Board Member of the newly created Rundle Mall Management Authority and continues to be an active contributor to the Board's activities.
In 2011 Kiki was invited by the Integrated Design Commission to become a member of its Expert Panel. A prestigious and innovative panel that will assist in driving urban design iniatives across SA. In 2012 Kiki was invited to become a member of the Minister for Urban Development and Planning, River Torrens Linear Park Co-ordinating Committee, a co-operative management group under a Memordandum of Understanding, to guide the ongoing strategic management of the Linear Park.
In November 2011 Kiki was invited by CLAIR to undertake a study tour of Japan and spent 10 days experiencing local government culture in both Tokyo and Okayama Prefecture.
Kiki has a strong business, public and local government background. She has been the CEO for Walkerville Council since 5 January 2009. In her short time at Walkerville some of her key achievements have included the Urban Master Plan, a strategic urban design plan that provides the vision and direction for the future development of Walkerville over the next 30 to 50 years; rebranding Walkerville; ERA Stormwater Harvesring & Re-use Project and the $9.5m Civic & Community Centre Redevelopment.
Kiki is committed to collaborative regional approaches and building long lasting relationships with all key stakeholders in order to benefit the residents and community of the Town of Walkerville.
Dianne Rogowski was appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer for the City of Tea Tree Gully in February 2009. Prior to this, she enjoyed a 30+ year career with the National Australia Bank finishing her career as State Manager for the Private Bank. During her career, Dianne enjoyed roles across the country in all segments of the bank including retail, business banking and was responsible for establishing the Private Bank here in Adelaide.
Evidence of her success was being the recipient of the prestigious 2005 Telstra Business Women of the Year Award for Corporate, Government and Business sector. Dianne brings to Local Government a fresh innovative approach. "I really love the diversity of the role between operational and strategic management. One moment I can be focusing on roads, rates and rubbish then in an instant, moving on to infrastructure, affordable housing or water management".
"Local Government is facing many challenges, particularly in the next few years, as we grapple with extensive capital works programs and environmental issues whilst our political landscape forges towards council amalgamations to bring us in line with the rest of the country".
"It is during these tough times that we need leadership that is bold and futuristic as well as strategic and anticipatory which is backed by innovative management within an empowered organisational framework".
"We need to understand the issues and needs of our community and translate these into strategic objectives and programs".
Mayor Ann Ferguson has a great passion for the District Council of Mount Barker and its community, having served Local Government for 10 years, currently in her second term as Mayor. A steadfast believer in achieving life balance, Mayor Ferguson is not only a wife, mother grandmother and friend, but also Chair of Regional Development Australia - Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu, Kangaroo Island Board, President of Southern & Hills Local Government Association, a member of the Local Government Association State Executive, and a member of SA Regional Organisation of Councils (SAROC). Additionally, Mayor Ferguson is a member of Regional Community Consultative Council (RCCC), is a life member of the Mount Barker Show Society, a qualified company director and, until recently a member of the Adelaide Hills Area Health Advisory Council. Mayor Ferguson served on the Royal Australian Nurses Federation for 10 years, retiring from nursing in January 2008.
Already experiencing rapid growth, in December 2010 the SA State Government rezoned a large area of rural land for township expansion in District Council of Mount Barker; it is anticipated the resident population in the newly rezoned land will be between 20,000 and 30,000 people, representing a potential doubling of the District's resident population in the next 15 years, to 45,000 - 50,000 people. Mount Barker will be the major regional centre for a large geographical area including the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsular. This brings tremendous responsibility for well being of places and communities.
Mayor Ann and Council are well aware of the impact this rapid growth in the District has had and will continue to have on the region, placing increasing pressure on health facilities and services based in Mount Barker, social and physical infrastructure, community facilities and essential services. Responsible leadership and community engagement is foremost for Mayor Ferguson.
Mayor Ann was born and raised on Kangaroo Island, moving to Mount Barker in 1964 as an 18 year old to commence training at the Mount Barker & District Soldiers Memorial Hospital. Ann is married to Malcolm, and they have 4 adult children and 4 grandchildren. Her interests include gardening and cooking, and she has travelled extensively in Canada, Scotland, Turkey and Asia.
Mayor Heather Wright grew up on a farm on Yorke Peninsula but is now very much an inner suburban dweller, having lived in the Walkerville Council area for 45 years. Starting her married life in Vale Park she participated in the 1970's drive for part of Vale Park to join Walkerville Council.
Over the years Heather has maintained a community focus. During her children's schooling she volunteered at the school communities. For several years she coordinated a site for the Cancer Council's Daffodil day event and actively participated in Breast Cancer fund raising. Heather served as Area Coordinator and later Events Coordinator for Walkerville Neighbourhood Watch. She was a member of the steering committee which established the Walkerville Historical Society and has been an active member of the Walkerville Wesleyan Cemetery Committee since its inception. Heather was first elected to Council in 2004 by which time she had retired from being employed in the Walkerville Library for 20 years.
Heather believes that the local aspect of Local Government should be emphasised and encouraged as she perceives that many people feel alienated from authority and sense that they have no hope of influencing actions and decisions. Additionally, in these days of increased scrutiny it is imperative that councils operate with the utmost integrity not only to meet standards but also to engender trust from the community. Council decisions should be based on comprehensive information, community feedback and considered objectivity.
