Local Women Leading Change

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Local Women Leading Change Local Women Leading Change is a campaign of the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA). Authorised by Kathryn Arndt, 60 Leicester St Carlton.

Today, VLGA - Victorian Local Governance Association Inc President Cr Jane Karslake, Interim CEO Jan Noblett and Head of...
26/08/2026

Today, VLGA - Victorian Local Governance Association Inc President Cr Jane Karslake, Interim CEO Jan Noblett and Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Anya Murray met with Victoria’s new Local Government Minister, Tim Richardson MP, to discuss the issues that matter most to councillors and local government.

As the peak body for Victorian councillors, the VLGA - Victorian Local Governance Association Inc is committed to working constructively with the State Government to achieve policy reforms and deliver programs that strengthen the working environment for councillors and councils.

Our discussions covered a range of immediate sector priorities, including:

• The Strengthening Communities Bill 2026 and the urgent need for stronger protections for councillors and CEOs
• A dedicated Councillor Assistance Program to support councillor health and wellbeing
• The rising levels of incivility and its impact on councillors, councils and communities
• Councillor remuneration
• The Mary Rogers Awards for Women in Local Government and the VLGA’s commitment to expanding inclusive civic leadership
• The 2026 Victorian Councillor Census, providing important insights into the experiences and challenges facing councillors across the state

We thank Minister Richardson for being so generous with his time and look forward to continuing to work with him and the Victorian Government to deliver positive outcomes for councillors, local government and the communities they serve.

Achieving gender parity has been part of the VLGA’s DNA for close to two decades.The Mary Rogers Awards for women in loc...
17/06/2026

Achieving gender parity has been part of the VLGA’s DNA for close to two decades.

The Mary Rogers Awards for women in local government not only celebrate and acknowledge the significant contributions and achievements of women councillors as civic leaders but shine a spotlight on the importance and benefits of balanced gender representation.

Nominations are now open across four Award categories including:

🟣 Mary Rogers Award - Awarded to a current woman councillor, recognising their outstanding contribution as a civic leader in Victoria.
🟣 Emerging Woman Leader - Awarded to a first term woman councillor who is demonstrating outstanding leadership.
🟣Gender Equality Council Champion Award (Metropolitan) – Awarded to a Council in a Metropolitan/Interface council in recognition of their work leading meaningful change in the gender equality space by supporting women’s participation in local government and decision-making.
🟣Gender Equality Council Champion Award (Regional/Rural) – Awarded to a Council in a Regional/Rural council in recognition of their work leading meaningful change in the gender equality space by supporting women’s participation in local government and decision-making.

Nominate now by visiting the VLGA website https://ow.ly/O5yh50Z9cJO

The Mary Rogers Awards for women in local government serve as a platform to promote and advocate for the advancement of ...
15/06/2026

The Mary Rogers Awards for women in local government serve as a platform to promote and advocate for the advancement of gender equality across the sector.

They also celebrate and acknowledge the significant contributions and achievements of women councillors as civic leaders.

Nominations are now open and close Friday 3 July.

Visit https://www.vlga.org.au/governance-leadership/local-government/mary-rogers-awards to find out more.

The Mary Rogers Awards for women in local government put a spotlight on the very important contribution women make to th...
11/06/2026

The Mary Rogers Awards for women in local government put a spotlight on the very important contribution women make to the local government sector and the importance of gender parity.

Our vision is to see 50% of women elected as councillors and mayors by the next local government election in 2028.

We know that diversity in the council chamber inevitably leads to strengthened and more informed decision making and good governance and contributes to the prevention of fraud and corruption in local government.

Nominations are now open. Visit https://www.vlga.org.au/governance-leadership/local-government/mary-rogers-awards to find out more.

Named after Mary Rogers – the first woman to be elected to a Victorian Municipal Council (City of Richmond 1920-1925) – ...
09/06/2026

Named after Mary Rogers – the first woman to be elected to a Victorian Municipal Council (City of Richmond 1920-1925) – these annual Awards will celebrate and acknowledge the significant contributions and achievements of women councillors as civic leaders in local government.

Nominations are now open in the following Award Categories until Friday, 3 July at 5pm:

🟣 Mary Rogers Award - Awarded to a current woman councillor, recognising their outstanding contribution as a civic leader in Victoria.

🟣Emerging Woman Leader Award- Awarded to a first term woman councillor who is demonstrating outstanding leadership.

🟣Gender Equality Council Champion Award (Metropolitan/Interface) – Awarded to a Council in a Metropolitan/Interface council in recognition of their work leading meaningful change in the gender equality space by supporting women’s participation in local government and decision-making.
🟣Gender Equality Council Champion Award (Regional/Rural) – Awarded to a Council in a Regional/Rural council in recognition of their work leading meaningful change in the gender equality space by supporting women’s participation in local government and decision-making.

To nominate visit https://www.vlga.org.au/governance-leadership/local-government/mary-rogers-awards

Nominations for the 2026 Mary Rogers Awards for women in local government are now open.The annual Awards, delivered by t...
22/05/2026

Nominations for the 2026 Mary Rogers Awards for women in local government are now open.

The annual Awards, delivered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), in partnership with the Victorian Government, celebrate and acknowledge the significant contributions and achievements of women councillors in local government.

They also serve as a platform to promote and advocate for the advancement of gender equality and focus on supporting women’s participation in local government and decision-making.

Nominations are open in the following Award Categories until Friday, 3 July at 5pm:

🟣 Mary Rogers Award - Awarded to a current woman councillor, recognising their outstanding contribution as a civic leader in Victoria.

🟣 Emerging Woman Leader Award - Awarded to a first term woman councillor who is demonstrating outstanding leadership.

🟣 Gender Equality Council Champion Award (Metro/Interface)– Awarded to a Victorian Council in metropolitan or interface Melbourne in recognition of their work leading meaningful change in the gender equality space by supporting women’s participation in local government and decision-making.

🟣 Gender Equality Council Champion Award (Rural/Regional)– Awarded to a Council in rural or regional Victoria in recognition of their work leading meaningful change in the gender equality space by supporting women’s participation in local government and decision-making.

Visit the VLGA website to nominate: https://www.vlga.org.au/governance-leadership/local-government/mary-rogers-awards

Census FindingsThe 2025 VLGA Victorian Councillor Census showed councillors are experiencing increasing levels of incivi...
06/05/2026

Census Findings
The 2025 VLGA Victorian Councillor Census showed councillors are experiencing increasing levels of incivility while performing the duties of their role. 59% of councillors reported they had experienced threatening or intimidating behaviour from members of the public, and 10% said that this was a regular occurrence. The data also revealed women were more likely than men to have experienced abuse, especially bullying and non-sexual harassment, and intimidation from other councillors. You can read the full Census report here https://www.vlga.org.au/governance-leadership/local-government/victorian-councillor-census

VLGA Response:
In response, the VLGA is calling on the Victorian Government to support the VLGA in delivering a dedicated assistance and support program for councillors. This is an initiative we have been progressing for some time and consider essential in the current environment. Many councillors at VLGA member councils have expressed genuine concerns about the lack of supports available to them, particularly from a health and wellbeing perspective.

Census FindingsThe results of the 2025 VLGA Victorian Councillor Census showed councillors were increasingly experiencin...
04/05/2026

Census Findings
The results of the 2025 VLGA Victorian Councillor Census showed councillors were increasingly experiencing incivility while performing the duties of their role.

When it came to reporting these behaviours, women were more likely to say that arrangements in place to deal with these behaviours by another councillor were effective (35% compared to men 63%)

In turn, of those who had experienced bullying and non-sexual harassment, only 10% of women felt supported by other councillors, compared to 45% of men. Men also reported feeling more supported by their CEO than women did (41% compared to 69%).

You can read the full Census report here https://ow.ly/FxNz50YKb0s

VLGA Response:
The VLGA believes everyone, whether an elected representative or community member, has the right to actively participate in respectful ways in key discussions and decision making without fear and without threats to their personal safety or targeted personal attacks. In February, the VLGA hosted its national annual leadership conference FastTrack which focused on incivility and its threat to local democracy. Participants examined the causes of incivility, its consequences for elected representatives, council staff and civic engagement, and examined practical strategies for fostering respectful communication and resilience in the face of hostility.

Census Findings:The VLGA Victorian Councillor Census revealed rules and regulations imposed by other levels of governmen...
29/04/2026

Census Findings:
The VLGA Victorian Councillor Census revealed rules and regulations imposed by other levels of government were the biggest hurdle facing councillors in the first year of this term. This was followed closely by limited financial resources. Financial constraints were more deeply felt by those in small rural shires, with 72% of councillors serving in these areas saying limited financial resources were impacting their ability to deliver in their role You can read the full Census report here https://ow.ly/lRNj50YHYTv

VLGA Response:
Councils are regularly being asked to do more with less. The VLGA recently provided a submission into an inquiry into local government funding and called on federal and state governments to take some responsibility for the fiscal position councils now find themselves in. The VLGA is committed to working with all levels of government to best address the financial sustainability issue the local government sector is facing and the need to find a balance between providing affordability for ratepayers while continuing to deliver high quality community services and infrastructure.

Census Findings:This year’s Census was deliberately designed to address critical data gaps - particularly the cumulative...
23/04/2026

Census Findings:
This year’s Census was deliberately designed to address critical data gaps - particularly the cumulative impact of incivility.

Bullying and non-sexual harassment from the public was reported by 25 per cent of male councillors and more than 50 per cent of women councillors.

The Census also highlighted the personal toll that abuse and incivility is having on elected representatives. Some said it had made them more determined to push for change, while others referenced the impact it was having on their confidence, wellbeing, their capacity to do their job and their likelihood of running again. You can read the full Census report here https://ow.ly/Zkpc50YKb0b

VLGA Response:
In response, the VLGA is calling on the Victorian Government to support the VLGA in delivering a dedicated assistance and support program for councillors. This is an initiative we have been progressing for some time and consider essential in the current environment. Many councillors at VLGA member councils have expressed genuine concerns about the lack of supports available to them, particularly from a health and wellbeing perspective.

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G06/60 Leicester Street
Carlton, VIC
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