Monday, 21 November 2016
NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has called on local communities to nominate their female councillors and council staff for special awards for women in local government.
Mr Marshall said the awards recognised the outstanding contribution and achievements of women who serve both in civic and professional roles in councils and the 2017 Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government was a formal way of honouring their commitment to their local communities.
“In the six councils across my electorate there are many talented and inspiring women who every day make a genuine difference to where we live and how local government women enhance our local communities,” Mr Marshall said.
“We currently have 15 female councillors in the Glen Innes Severn, Gwydir, Inverell, Moree Plains and Uralla councils and while Armidale Regional won’t have an elected body until next year, there are women in various roles across all those areas who deserve to be recognised for their commitment to the communities in which we live,” Mr Marshall said.
“I would encourage people to nominate those women they feel are making a contribution of note.”
The awards are a joint initiative between Minister for Local Government Paul Toole and Minister for Women Pru Goward and recognise the achievements of women in councils across four categories of elected representative, senior staff member, non-senior staff member, and women in non-traditional roles.
Mr Marshall said he encouraged people to shine a light on women in local government who should be celebrated.
“Besides honouring these women, the awards inspire a younger generation of women to consider a role in local government and that’s a way of ensuring our future councils can continue to truly represent their residents and give a voice to different sectors of our communities,” Mr Marshall said.
Nominations close on Wednesday, 21 December 2016 and the awards will be presented at a function to celebrate International Women’s Day at Parliament House on 7 March 2017.
Further details and how to nominate are available at www.olg.nsw.gov.au