Hear their Stories
New South Wales Ambassadors
Cr Karen McKeown has been a councillor since 2004 and has enjoyed serving the Penrith community as well as mentoring women in local government throughout New South Wales.
Karen is a strong, enthusiastic and experienced leader in the City of Penrith as well as local government as a whole. She is an outstanding role model for all women within the sector.
Throughout her career as an elected representative, Karen has demonstrated excellent leadership with the support of both the community and her fellow councillors (she served as Deputy Mayor in 2006-2007), taking up many positions with various council working parties, committees and boards. She has also served on a number of state and national bodies including the State Records Authority of NSW, joint Ministerial Advisory Council on Women in Local Government and is currently the President of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association of NSW.
Karen McKeown is a shining star in local government and her name is synonymous with the advocacy of women within the sector.
Dr Maree Smith is a Laboratory Manager with Port Macquarie – Hastings Council in NSW. She saw the role with Council as an opportunity to pull together the experience she has gained in both private industry and state government.
Maree’s achievements have included the introduction of an extensive laboratory quality management system, inter-laboratory quality assurance programmes, NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia) registration for a large number of the testing analysis completed by the laboratory, sampling, testing and result data recording system, recruitment and ongoing professional development of a very efficient and competent team of laboratory staff and the successful introduction of a strong customer focus and service provision work ethic within her dedicated team.
The commitment Maree has made to local Government through her service to the community, whether face to face, committee or project support, has been outstanding. It has also been extremely rewarding for those who have worked with her.
Neryl East is the manager Media and Communications for Shellharbour City Council in NSW. Neryl has an extensive background in local government, with positions in Shellharbour and Wollongong City Councils. She particularly enjoys the fact that local government is a rich field for communications professionals, with diverse issues and audiences and a need for continuous improvement in communication and community engagement techniques.
Nery has completed a PhD whilst working full time at council , and developed and impressive array of communication strategies. She is a recognised leader in the field of local government communication and is passionate about the need to encourage outstanding women to take up senior roles within local government.
As an ambassador for the Year of Women in Local Government 2010 Neryl feels honoured to have the opportunity to inspire and motivate women into senior roles and motivate all levels of local government to welcome the contribution of women.
Cr Bruce Miller is the President of the Shires Association of NSW and a representative of Cowra Shire Council. He has been a member of Cowra Council since 1991 and has been active in the Cowra community for the majority of his life, providing employment through his building company and leadership through his time as an elected representative.
With six years on the Shires Association executive, five of which have included serving as President or Vice President, Bruce has enjoyed the opportunity to represent the issues and goals of Local Government to the other spheres of Government in NSW and Australia.
As an Ambassador for the Year of Women in Local Government 2010, Bruce is glad of the opportunity to further his commitment to increasing Local Government representation from all sectors of the community. He believes that in order for councils to truly represent the need for and entire community, they must be a microcosm of their community.
Northern Territory Ambassadors
Sandra Cannon, CEO of Victoria Daly Shire Council has been involved in local government for some 15 years in Qld, NSW and now in the Northern Territory.
Sandra has drawn on her experience across the various jurisdictions where she has worked to develop the Victoria Daly Shire Council. She is a passionate advocate for Women in Local Government and has been during her entire career. She advocates for a greater number of women to participate as elected representatives in Local Government and for the development and enhancement of women in management.
Sandra has been very supportive of all her staff and has a unique ability to understand the complexities of leading a culturally diverse workforce.
Sandra’s commitment and dedication continue to guide Victoria Daly Shire Council to provide leadership to a community with many significant social issues. These issues, have resulted from historical and contemporary forces of change and associated community dislocation, including some of the highest levels of violence and substance misuse in Australia. In communities that consistently struggle to maintain non-Indigenous support staff, Sandra’s contribution as a leader, manager, friend and colleague represents an unparalleled commitment to the wellbeing of the Victoria Daly Shire communities.
Pam Robinson OAM is a Manager for Climate Change and Environment at Darwin City Council in NT.
She was a Councillor for 10 years with Violet Town Shire Council in VIC and was President for 2 years. Pam was the first female Councillor in the 86 year history of Violet Town Council in 1982 and the first female Shire President for the Council. She was also awarded the Medal of “The Order of Australia” (OAM) in the General Division for Service to Local Government and to Conservation.
Pam was also the Australian Delegation representative for the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York 2002. Whilst she was State President for ALGWA, she initiated an annual Study Bursary Award for female local government employees to assist them to accelerate their opportunities in local government employment.
As an ambassador for the Year of Women in Local Government 2010, she believes an ability to provide linkages for better understanding, improved communication and enhanced partnerships for all those working in and with local government should be the crux of an inclusive message provided by ambassadors.
Queensland Ambassadors
Cr Joyce Crombie has been on Diamantina Shire Council in QLD since 2005.
Joyce has also been the President of the Bedourie Aboriginal Corporation for 19 years. She received the Citizen of the Year Award in 1998. Through her close association with the community her respect as a leader not only for the Indigenous community but the shire’s general community is immense. This leadership has seen the delivery of a health service in the shire’s two towns, whose population is under a 150 each.
Joyce’s respect throughout all sectors of local government is undoubted. Her involvement in all aspects of women issues has been paramount in women’s health and lifestyle in the far western Queensland, being improved to levels of delivery to rival those who reside in the large regional centres or the east coast.
Joyce’s pleasant and dignified nature radiates and inspires all people to listen. Her capacity as a leader to stand up in public and promote unity and lifestyle advancement in all communities is one of her greatest assets and is the beacon that will light her path in being a successful ambassador for the Year of Women in Local Government in 2010.
Michelle McFadyen is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Longreach Regional Council in QLD, a newly formed council amalgamated from the three shire councils of Ilfracombe, Longreach and Isisford.
Michelle is a member of the LGMA and Australian Institute of Management. Michelle is a also a member of the board of the Outback Queensland Tourism Association and was awarded with the honour of “Local Government Employee of the Year” at the Central West Industry Excellence Awards in 2008.
Michelle McFadyen exhibits a contemporary leadership style that embraces change and stimulates growth by developing and encouraging new ideas as well mentoring staff with her ability to effectively delegate appropriate learning opportunities.
Michelle is very passionate about local government as a fulfilling career, work-life balance and women in local government.
Sharon Solyma is the Community Grants and Research Officer for the Gold Coast City Council in Qld.
She entered local government almost three years ago after a number of roles which saw her working in academia, the environment sector, the music industry and a Cooperative Research centre.
Sharon’s entry into local government came as a result of her interest in community development, governance, future thinking and leadership. She also has a great interest in political science and excelled in this area during her tertiary studies.
She is a great advocate for the benefits of developing collaborative relationships with all levels of government and other professional agencies and has an understanding of the important role that local government plays in the community that belies her young age.
Sharon is actively seeking ways to build her personal and professional capacity to advance her career in local government.
South Australia Ambassadors
Cr Angela Keneally is an Elected Member City of Charles Sturt – in South Australia.
Angela is a tireless community worker, which culminated in her being the only first time elected female Councillor for the City of Charles Sturt in the 2006 Council Elections. She volunteers significant amounts of time and demands of a large family and has demonstrated this through her work with the support she has given to young people who are at risk of suicide, drug use, homelessness, offending and early school leaving.
Angela has also been involved with the start up of an Aboriginal Youth Services Programme and supervises initiatives that support young women in their personal and professional development. Her work is proving to have significantly positive effects on some of the State and nations most vulnerable young people.
Angela believes that through business, community and political intervention that many more lives can be positively supported and influenced than by working on the coal face alone.
Jane Fetherstonhaugh is currently employed as Deputy CEO – Director of Finance and Community Service for District Council of Grant in SA.
Jane has worked in Local Government in two States, Western Australia and South Australia for 14 years. She has provided outstanding leadership skills and has proved to be dedicated, committed and innovative implementing many initiatives throughout Council.
Jane is well qualified and experienced and had is motivated by close working relationships within the community.
Rebecca Thomas is General Manager – City Services for City of Holdfast Bay, South Australia.
She has had over 11 years experience in Local Government in South Australia 5 of which have been in leadership and management roles. She is passionate about Local Government and as a young, successful and positive individual she see’s herself as a role model for women seeking a rewarding Council Career.
Rebecca believe that a highly diverse, service based industry, Local Government has the means to be at the forefront of progressive, equitable employment practices which encourage and promote increased participation and the career advancement of women in the local government sector. She is also of the belief that it is not only possible for Local Government to be a leading employer and truly representative body, but that it is also essential, in order for Council’s to accurately represent the communities they serve.
Rebecca has many desirable qualities that make her a good ambassador.
Tanya Hook is a Project Officer for the City of Tea Tree Gully in South Australia.
Tanya has worked in local government for 5 years and firmly believes that success is achievable for all women, regardless of their status. She has proven to be approachable in all types of work related situations and has demonstrated calm and reliable leadership in unexpected events that have occurred in her working environment.
Tanya has also provided a mentoring role to her fellow employees and has been responsible for the supervision and professional development of student shelvers. She has proven to be a woman of outstanding ability and character who will display many of the characteristics of a wonderful ambassador for women in local government.
Victoria & Tasmania Ambassadors
Aby McGuire By her own admission, Abyilene "fell" into both local government and the environmental health profession by accepting a cadet environmental health officer position with Kinborough Council. Careers in the sector were not promoted during career days or discussions in high school and college. She now views this as the best professional decision she could ever have made and regularly attends career expos and speaks to school students about the environmental health profession and the opportunities available in local government.
Abyilene has already gained an impressive suite of awards and accolades both in the personal and professional arenas.
Having been brought up in an all-female household (mother and sister) and through active participation in Girl Guides Australia, Abyilene is a fierce believer in, and indeed, exceptional example of, the capacity of women to be able to achieve anything. She knows that women are strong and valuable leaders, contributors and decision makers in society.
Fiona Hodges is General Manager – Community Wellbeing for Cardinia Shire in VIC.
Fiona has a lengthy career experience in Community focused roles and a range of local government roles. She has had an effective participation in the Cultural Strengthening and Leadership Program which has been implemented by Cardinia Shire Council.
Fiona has always been driven by passion to contribute to the community significantly and has discovered that local government is the place where she can make a difference
Fiona plays a key role in advocacy for tertiary facilities within Cardinia Shire Council, a socially disadvantaged community and a testament to Fiona’s great leadership is further proven through her time as acting CEO, the first time having a women achieve this recognition at Cardinia Shire Council.
She is the first permanent female General Manager for Cardinia Shire Council and is contributing to the 5% of women who are CEO’s or General Managers within local government.
Noelene Duff was initially appointed as Whitehorse Chief Executive Officer in 2000 and was reappointed for a further five years in March 2009.
Council welcomed her reappointment and commended the steady leadership Noelene had provided to the organisation.
Her leadership over the past eight years has seen Council meet the strategic objectives set out in the Council Plan and her commitment to Whitehorse fulfilling the goals and aspirations of the community.
She is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the Institute of Public Affairs Australia, LGMA and LGPro, as well as a member of the Box Hill Institute Board and of Council’s Audit Committee.
Cr Yvonne Jennings is from Swan Hill Rural City Council in Victoria.
Yvonne chose local government as the vehicle to further her passion for empowering women and youth to reach their full potential at all levels in addition to her outstanding record in championing and developing women for leadership in rural communities.
She has profoundly influenced the way Council functioned. She has brought a much greater emphasis towards community capacity building, a much needed change in direction for a Council which has serviced many small rural communities.
Because of her qualifications as a member of the “Australian Institute of Company Directors” Yvonne was able to improve the level of corporate governance amongst her peer group, the councillors.
Yvonne recognises the need for diverse and skilled leaders and to provide women with the tools to confidently and ably take on leadership positions. She was also instrumental in preparing nine women from her region to travel to Spain to attend the Third World Rural Women’s Congress and sourced funding for 4 of the women attending.
Jennings’s personal vision for a rural Australia further enriched by rural women, who are achieving their potential, have the confidence to create, and take up, opportunities for the benefit of agriculture and their communities, was recognized by the Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation when they gave her the Victorian Rural Woman’s Award for 2006.
Western Australia Ambassadors
Jonathan Throssell is Chief Executive Officer for the Shire of Mundaring in WA and has worked in local government for 15 years.
Jonathan has an appreciation for the hardship some women face when they return to work after having children and encourages accommodating the needs of working mothers.
He has implemented a program of cultural change for the organization with a focus on learning and development, organisational values and developing the organisation as a workplace of choice he has also implemented a program of equal opportunity training and grievance policies to ensure that women are not discriminated against or harassed based on gender.
Jonathan has supported a range of family-friendly work practices including flexible work conditions, working from home, job sharing and part-time work, all of which help to ensure the broad participation of women in the workforce.
Jonathan will be a good ambassador as a male champion as he advocates strongly for all people based on merit, aptitude and rights.
Vicky Small commenced her career in local government in the eastern States where she served in a number of roles including engineering administration, EEO officer, Manager Visitor Information Centre, Corporate and HR planner and OH&S Coordinator.
In October 2008, she relocated to Western Australia to take up her current role as Manager Customer and Information Services with the Shire of Augusta- Margaret River.
As a single mother Vicky initially saw local government as a place based employer which provided security. However, she quickly learnt that local government’s ability to contribute to the community at a grass roots level fitted with her own personal values of making a social contribution. Local Government has also provided an opportunity for career growth in organisations that value staff and support their development.
As the only female manager in the Shire of Augusta – Margaret River Vicky is an exceptionally positive role model for other women. She is committed to helping others uncovering their potential and she supports and encourages others to take on new challenges.
Cr Elizabeth Re JP for the city of Stirling in WA, was raised in the local government environment where she developed a purpose to commit herself to better the status of women, improve the safety of children and improve the community’s environment.
Elizabeth was appointed the first female in the position of Principle Health and Building inspector in WA and one of the first women appointed in Australia. She was also the first woman to be in the position of Health/Meat Inspector in WA Sate Government Health Department and in Australia.
She has also written contributions to the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 of WA and the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 of WA. She was awarded an appreciation certificate from the Health Department of WA in 2005 and in 2006 she received a Gold Award for her services in Neighbourhood Watch in WA.
Elizabeth understands the complexities of living in remote locations and the significant role that local government plays in the daily lives of people and the provision of services.
Kat Pinder has already achieved so much for women and she is still in her 20s.
Kat is currently employed as the Community Development Officer – Access and Inclusion with the city of Swan in Western Australia. This role sees her involved in a range of programs that support women in the community and within Council, including the establishment of a Women in Leadership group within the workplace. She believes local government is one of the best ways forward for engaging and resourcing the most marginalised people in the community.
Kat is passionate about local government and about advancing the status of women in the sector. She is an accomplished, interesting and challenging public speaker and is committed to making the most out of her role as a young ambassador for the Year of Women in Local Government 2010.
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The National Steering Committee would like to thank IPWEA and in particular, Gabrielle Cusack for their assistance in delivering the Year of Women in Local Government
