GoWomenLG 2016 Local

Government Forum Event evaluation

Greater Shepparton City Council and the

Greater Shepparton Women’s Charter Alliance Advisory Committee

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Contents Greater Shepparton City Council ............................................................................................................. 2

Greater Shepparton Women’s Charter Alliance Advisory Committee .................................................... 2

GoWomenLG 2016 – the Victorian Local Governance Association ......................................................... 2

GoWomenLG 2016 - Local Government Forum ...................................................................................... 3

Date ..................................................................................................................................................... 3

Venue .................................................................................................................................................. 3

Theme ................................................................................................................................................. 3

MC ....................................................................................................................................................... 3

Guest panellists ................................................................................................................................... 3

Audience .............................................................................................................................................. 7

Ticketing .............................................................................................................................................. 7

Resources ............................................................................................................................................ 7

Advertising/Publicity ........................................................................................................................... 7

Feedback ............................................................................................................................................. 8

Appendices .............................................................................................................................................. 8

Appendix 1: Statistics regarding participation of women in local governments ................................ 8

Appendix 2: Publicity ......................................................................................................................... 11

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Greater Shepparton City Council The Greater Shepparton City Council Local Government Area (LGA) covers an area of 2,422 square kilometres. The population is 60,449 people.1

The Greater Shepparton LGA has a strong Aboriginal and multicultural community.

Greater Shepparton Women’s Charter Alliance Advisory Committee The Greater Shepparton Women’s Charter Alliance Advisory Committee (GSWCAAC) is a community advisory committee (of the Greater Shepparton City Council) that is part of a broader network of Local Government Area (LGA) advisory committees across the state that are guided and informed by the Victorian Local Government Women’s Charter. The Charter recognises the need to increase women’s participation in key decision making forums in the community and in democratic governance.

A three point action plan focussing on Diversity, Active Citizenship and Gender Equity guides the key strategic objectives of this committee.

The GSWCAAC is made up of community representatives and Council Officers. The GSWCAAC meets monthly, with an annual intake of members undertaken in March each year.

Above: Some of the members of the Greater Shepparton Women’s Charter Alliance Advisory

Committee.

GoWomenLG 2016 – the Victorian Local Governance Association The GoWomenLG 2016 project is run by The Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) and is aimed at encouraging more women to run for Victorian local government elections. The Project is co-funded by the VLGA and the Victorian Government and is supported by many local governments and community organisations. Other aims of this project are to reflect the diversity of women in

1 http://greatershepparton.com.au/assets/files/documents/profile/Statistics_-_2011_-_Snapshot_Profile_-_Greater_Shepparton.PDF Accessed 2/6/2016.

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running, to prepare women to run good electoral campaigns, and to develop their knowledge of councils and good governance in preparation for the election.

The VLGA links local government, councillors and the community to build and strengthen local governance and democracy, and as a part of their mission are advocates for progressive social change.

For more information about GoWomenLG 2016 visit: http://gowomenlg.org.au/

GoWomenLG 2016 - Local Government Forum

Date Wednesday 11 May 2016.

Venue Shepparton Senior Citizens Centre, 122-132 Welsford Street Shepparton.

“The setting was good, and a well-managed evening.” Feedback from an audience member.

Theme More women in local governments – Let’s make diversity happen!

In 2015 the Greater Shepparton City Council, with the assistance of the GSWCAAC, was successful in their application to host a regional GoWomenLG 2016 Local Government Forum. The Forum was held in May 2016.

GoWomenLG2016 is an initiative of the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), in conjunction with the Victorian Government and provides support, networking and resources for women candidates in the 2016 Victorian local government elections.

Greater Shepparton City Council, the Greater Shepparton Women's Charter Alliance Advisory Committee, and GoWomenLG2016 held the regional forum in Shepparton which aimed to inspire, encourage, and inform women about opportunities in local government.

The forum was about bringing people together and providing a stepping stone for women wherever they are on their journey as a candidate.

MC The Hon. Jeanette Powell, former Minister for Local Government and former Councillor was the MC for the forum.

Guest panellists The panel consisted of:

• Cr Colleen Furlanetto (Mayor, Strathbogie Shire) • Cr Marie Martin (Moira Shire) • Cr Carol Howell (Campaspe Shire)

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Below: From left – Cr Carol Howell, Linda Bennett Women’s Policy Officer Victorian Local Governance Association, Mayor Colleen Furlanetto, Cr Marie Martin, and The Hon. Jeanette Powell MC.

The panel discussed:

• Being a voice for your community • What’s involved in running a campaign • How to be an effective councillor • How to make a difference

Audience members were provided with an opportunity to ask questions of the panellists and the MC. “Very relaxed atmosphere. Able to ask questions of the Councillors and learn of their experiences.” Feedback from an audience member. Mayor Colleen Furlanetto, Strathbogie Shire

Cr Colleen Furlanetto was first elected to Strathbogie Shire in 2008 and again in 2012. She has been Deputy Mayor for four of those years and is the current Mayor. She played a significant role in the 2012 Think Women for Local Government campaign for more women in Local Government, with ALGWA and VLGA.

Colleen represents rural communities and says she is passionate and she has been motivated to keep knocking on doors, making sure a rural voice is at the table no matter what is being discussed.

Colleen has been advocating for the prevention of violence against women and children as a councillor and supporting the role Strathbogie shire has for its community in regards to this issue.

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Since 2010 Colleen has chaired the inaugural Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) Prevention of Violence Against Women and their children LG Network, she also chairs the MAV Human Services leadership group.

Colleen has held and holds multiple committee and board representations particularly in the disability sector, and was appointed by the Minister to VDAC the Victorian Disability Advisory Committee in 2013. Colleen works as a co facilitator on PVAW and women with a disability and violence with Women Disability Victoria. In 2015 Colleen participated in the WCLP Williamson Community leadership Program, and is a Fairley Fellow of 2010.

Colleen was most recently appointed by the Minister for Local Government to the Local Government Act Review advisory committee.

Colleen has achieved recognition from her peers in being nominated for the Brenda Gabe award in 2013 and 2014, and she won the award in 2015. Colleen recently was nominated for an Inspire Award in the category of Best Achievement in Human Rights 2016 - which she is immensely proud and thankful for.

Colleen takes pride in representation of community and is a woman who just happens to have a disability and she won't let either ever define her.

Cr Marie Martin, Moira Shire

With a strong record of community involvement and motivated to make a difference in her community, Marie Martin says she stood for election to Moira Shire Council in 2012 in order to achieve change. "I grew tired of seeing the disconnect between the decisions of Council and the aspirations of our community.”

“I've always been interested in politics, and treasure our democratic process, so making the decision to step up and run for council wasn't difficult.”

“I thought that if I play a role in helping Council better engage with their communities, there would be better decision making and better outcomes.”

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Marie believes local government is grass roots and the benefits of transparency, good policy and governance can be readily seen and appreciated by residents and ratepayers.

Marie was born and raised in the Numurkah/Strathmerton area. After teaching in Melbourne Marie returned in 1991 with her family to work and enjoy the benefits a country lifestyle has to offer.

Marie’s community involvement over the years has included Sporting Clubs, CWA, School Council, the Community Learning Centre, Numurkah Singers, Baala Karinya, Pioneers Lodge, Senior Citizens, Lions Ladies, Numurkah Development Committee, Community Co-ordinator, Lions, Christmas Carols, Anzac and Australia Day Ceremonies, as well as various local festivals.

Marie devised Talking Books' celebrating our Cultural Riches held at the Numurkah Library and auspiced by Moira Shire's Multicultural Committee. A stand out event in this series was 'S.S Sail the Regina', presented at Monichino's, which was fondly remembered by many Italian immigrants in the Moira Shire.

Cr Martin served her first term as a Moira Shire Council Mayor in 2015.

Cr Carol Howell, Campaspe Shire

A self-proclaimed “proud Kyabramite”, Cr Carol Howell was born in Melbourne and moved to Kyabram when she was nine. She attended Haslem Street State School, Kyabram High School and Girton Girls Grammar School, later gaining her VCE as a mature-age student.

Cr Howell and her husband Russ owned Howell’s Fabric and Wool Shop in Kyabram until their retirement in 2005.

Her family - son, Peter, daughter Renee and four grandchildren - is her passion but she also loves reading, travelling, sewing and gardening when she gets time away from her busy councillor and community commitments.

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Cr Howell’s community affiliations over the years have included membership on the Kyabram Chamber of Commerce, Kyabram Development Committee and the KyBuys Committee. She has been involved in a variety of events including chairing the Voice of the People Festival in 2001, three Fauna Food Fiestas and two Kyabram town balls. She was the inaugural chair of the RV and Country Music Committee and past member of the Enabling Committee for a Kyabram Community Bank.

Cr Howell is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

“Speakers from different shires were very good and informative.” Feedback from an audience member.

Audience Approximately 31 people (including the guest speakers) attended.

Ticketing EventBrite was used for ticketing.

Resources The GSWCAAC provides resources for women at their events. A resource table was provided at the forum.

The resources included:

• ‘Know the Line’ sexual harassment resources • Resources on forced marriage • Breast Screen Victoria resources

Advertising/Publicity The GSWCAAC did not conduct any paid advertising for this event. However, the event was promoted in the following ways:

• Through the GSWCAAC Members • To the Friends of the GSWCAAC • The Shepparton Adviser editorial • The Shepparton News editorial • Poster • Greater Shepparton City Council website and social media • Through the website and social media of the GoWomenLG Project

Please see Appendix 2 for examples of publicity.

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Feedback The Council, the GSWCAAC, and GoWomenLG provided limited paper surveys for audience members to fill out at the forum.

Six people responded to the survey and all had positive feedback.

Appendices

Appendix 1: Statistics regarding participation of women in local governments The below information was obtained from the Victorian Local Governance Association. See: http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0ahUKEwiwo5G9wojNAhUBVZQKHQ5pCNwQFggbMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mav.asn.au%2Fabout-local-government%2Fwomen-in-local-government%2FDocuments%2FParticipation%2520of%2520women%2520in%2520Victorian%2520local%2520government.docx&usg=AFQjCNGN7mNO8FcCkqtuAvTj5MdP7yBUDA&bvm=bv.123325700,d.dGo

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PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN VICTORIAN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FACT SHEET December 2015

(Update December 2015 Fact Sheet 19 - 2016 previous update December 2015) The data below includes results from 78 council elections in October 2012. The mayors are updated annually. All 79 councils will go to election again in October 2016. There are 79 local governments and a total of 631 councillors in Victoria. In September 2009, 11 Brimbank councillors were replaced by Victorian Government appointed administrators. This arrangement is in place until 2015. In November 2013, Wangaratta was placed under administration. 215 (34%) of the 631 Councillors elected in October 2012 are female. Data history: 24/8/2000: 157 councillors, 26.6%; 30/4/01: 160 councillors, 26.9%, 2/10/01:165 councillors, 27.6%, 16/06/02: 164 crs of 601 27.3%; : 14/08/02: 166 councillors, 27.7%; 10/10/2003:177 councillors of 621, 28.5%, 2/4/2004: 178 councillors, 29% -; 8/3/2005: 181 councillors of 620, 29%; 9/1/2006: 191 of 635, 30%; 30/6/2008: 197 of 635, (31%); 30/08/09: 188 of 631, (29.8%); 15/12/2010: 183 councillors (29.5%), Note: Red highlights an immediate post-election result. Total numbers of councillors altered occasionally in between elections. ___________________________________________________________________________ Local governments with more than 40% of women councillors – 35% (28 actual)

• Ballarat 57% (4/7) • Bass Coast 43%

(3/7) • Benalla 57% (4/7) • Cardinia 44% (4/9) • Hindmarsh 50%

(3/6) • Hobsons Bay 57%

(4/7) • Horsham 43% (3/7) • Indigo 43% (3/7) • Latrobe 44% (4/9 • Loddon 40% (2/5)

• Manningham 55% (5/9) • Mansfield 40% (2/5) • Maroondah 55% (5/9) • Melbourne 40% (4/10 -

- excludes separately elected Mayor)

• Melton 71% (5/7) • Mildura 44% (4/9) • Moonee Valley 55%

(5/9) • Moreland 54% (6/11) • Mount Alexander 43%

(3/7)

• Nillumbik 57% (4/7) • Port Phillip 71% (5/7) • Queenscliffe 60% (3/5) • Surf Coast 55% (5/9) • Towong 40% (2/5) • Wangaratta 43% (3/7) • Whitehorse 40% (4/10) • Yarra Ranges 43%

(3/7) • Yarriamback 43% (3/7)

Data history: 2000: 12% or 9 actual; 2004: 22% or 18 actual; 2008: 28% or 22 actual; August 2009: 18% or 14 actual. December 2010 (16% or 13 actual), May 2012 18% (14 actual) ____________________________________________________________________________ Metro/Interface/Rural/Regional comparisons Women Councillors 0 women

councillors 1 woman councillor

2+women councillors

40%+ women councillors

Metropolitan/Interface 0 1 17 12 Rural 0 8 17 12 Regional 0 1 6 4 Total councils (78) 0 10 40 28 Exc Brimbank which have administrators

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Local governments with female mayors elected in 2015/2016 : 34% (27 women mayors) • Bass Coast • Cardinia • Corangamite • East Gippsland • Gannawarra • Hindmarsh • Horsham

• Hume • Kingston • Manningham • Maroondah • Melton • Mitchell • Monash

• Moonee Valley • Moreland • Mount Alexander • Murrindindi • Nillumbik • Port Phillip • Queenscliffe

• Strathbogie • Surf Coast • Warrnambool • West Wimmera • Wodonga • Wyndham

Data history: 24/8/2000: 15 mayors, 19%; 2/10/01: 18 mayors, 23%, 14/08/2002: 22 mayors, 28%, 10/10/2003:29 mayors, 37%; 2/4/04: 24 mayors, 30%; 15/12/05: 24, 30%; 9/1/06: 29 mayors 37%, 21/06/07: 20 mayors, 25%; 30/06/08: 19 mayors, 24%, 30/01/09: 20 Mayors 25%, 14/12/09: 16 Mayors, 20% 14/12/10: 18 Mayors 23% 14/12/11: 18 Mayors 23%; December 2011 23% (18 actual); December 2012 : 38% (30 actual) December 2013 25% (20 actual); Dec 2014 38% (30)

All councils in Victoria have female councillors, a first for the State. Data history: 2/10/2001: 5 councils 6%, 14/08/2002: 4 councils 5%; 2/4/2004: 5 councils, 6%: 8/3/05: 7 councils 9%; 9/1/2006: 5 councils 6%; January 2008: 4 councils 5%; June 2008: after by-elections, 2 councils 3%; December 2010: 5 local governments (6%) ____________________________________________________________________________ There is only one female councillor in 10 local governments (13%) :

• Banyule • Colac-Otway • Gannawarra • Hepburn

• Moorabool • Moyne • Northern Grampians

• Pyrenees • Swan Hill • West Wimmera

Data history: 24/8/2000: 24 councils, 30.7%, 2/10/01:21 councils, 27%, 14/08/2002: 23 councils 29%, 10/10/2003: 19 councils 24%; 2/4/2004: 17 councils 21.5%; 9/1/2006: 10 councils 13%; 21/6/07: 11 councils 14%; January 2008: 10 councils 13%; June 2008 after by-elections: 9 councils 11%; December 2010: 14 councils 18%..

* * * * * * * * * * * NEXT COUNCIL ELECTIONS – OCTOBER 2016 Publications available to support women into and on local government councils:

• A Gender Agenda – kit for women who want to stand for local government and those who want to assist others to stand (4th edition)

• Now You’re a Councillor www.nyac.org.au website for newly elected women councillors

• Victorian Local Government Women's Charter - supported by the MAV and the VLGA

Enquiries: December 2015 Fact Update 19 Please let us know if there are any errors. This Fact Sheet will be updated in December 2016 (new mayors, new councillors). Linda Bennett VLGA T: (03) 9349 7904 E: linda@vlga.org.au.

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Appendix 2: Publicity Below: Poster.

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Below: Article from the Shepparton News, Tuesday 19 April 2016, page 4.

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Below: Article from The Shepparton Adviser, Wednesday 27 April 2016, page 14.

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Below: Letter to the Editor from The Shepparton Adviser, Wednesday 4 May 2016, page 8.

Below: Article from The Shepparton News, Wednesday 11 May 2016, page 3.