MOYNE Shire Council will host a special event on Wednesday, June 1, aimed at empowering women to run for local government.
Moyne Shire councilor, Karen Foster, will host a lunch discussion with Warrnambool City Council mayor, Vicki Jellie, and Corangamite Shire councilor and former mayor, Jo Beard, about their pathway to election and their experiences as councillors.
Cr Foster said the day would also provide information about “Women Leading Locally” - a program designed to inspire, equip, and sustain women to run in the 2024 Local Government elections.
“As the only woman elected to Moyne Shire Council, one of my priorities is to engage more women and young people with local government and with community leadership more generally,” she said.
“Women Leading Locally is one tool we can use to help inspire and equip women to run - it’s a program that will be delivered by the Institute of Community Directors Australia and there are 60 places available for the program’s first intake in 2022.
“The program aims to give participants the inspiration, knowledge and skills to succeed in local leadership roles, with a focus on campaigning as a candidate for the 2024 local government elections.”
Cr Foster said there are scholarships available for applicants from the 30 council areas where women were most under-represented following the October 2020 local government elections.
“Unfortunately, Moyne is one of those identified areas - but this is a real opportunity to change that and to ensure that our council better represents the diversity of our community,” she said.
“I’d encourage any woman who’s considered putting her hand-up to run for council to come along and have a chat over lunch and learn more about the program and to hear from Jo and Vicki who have been strong and respected leaders in their respective communities.”
The free lunch event will be held on Wednesday, June 1, at Charlies on East in Port Fairy from 12.30pm.
Tickets are available via events.humanitix.com/women-leading-locally-in-discussion