The Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government are a chance to recognise female councillors and council staff who make invaluable contributions to improve the lives of the people they represent and serve.

The awards were established in 2008 to recognise the outstanding efforts of women at the grassroots level of government in metropolitan and regional/rural councils.

There are countless women across our State playing a vital role in creating stronger local councils and making their local community a better place to live, work and play.

Award categories include separate awards for metropolitan and regional/rural councils including county councils and joint organisations. The categories are:

  • Alternative Pathways Award – for a female staff member who is breaking down gender stereotypes.
  • Champion of Change Award – for a male and a female general manager or senior manager who have excelled in supporting and encouraging women’s participation at their council.
  • Elected Representative Award – for a female councillor who has improved the position of female elected representatives.
  • Employment Diversity Award – for a successful council program to increase female participation in senior leadership roles or at the elected representative level.
  • Woman of Distinction Award – for a woman who has demonstrated exceptional innovation, integrity and initiative or who has a positive influence on others.
  • Young Achiever’s Award –for an outstanding female staff member (including trainees and apprentices) aged 25 and under.
  • Councillor Lilliane Brady OAM Award – nominations are not required. The winner will be determined by the Minister to recognise and honour the dedication and tireless work of a female council staff member or elected representative.

The late Cobar Mayor Lilliane Brady OAM was the inaugural recipient of the Minister for Local Government Award for Women in 2020. This award has been formally named after Lilliane to honour her extraordinary life and career as the State’s longest serving female mayor, and advocacy for women in the sector.

 

Winners of the 2024 Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government

  • Alternative Pathways Award – Metro

Alicia Lopez – Chief Information Officer (City of Newcastle Council)

  • Alternative Pathways Award – Regional/Rural

Ruth Hallett – Civil Engineer (MidCoast Council)

  • Young Achiever’s Award – Metro

Jazmin Webber – Apprentice Carpenter (City of Newcastle Council)

  • Young Achiever’s Award – Regional/Rural

Rylee Goodman – Governance Officer (Shoalhaven City Council)

  • Woman of Distinction Award – Metro

Brooke Endycott – Director Community Life (Burwood Council)

  • Woman of Distinction Award – Metro (Highly Commended)

Haley Vallone – Strategic Social Planner (Campbelltown City Council)

  • Woman of Distinction Award – Regional/Rural

Alex Waldron – Chief Executive Officer (Upper Lachlan Shire Council)

  • Elected Representative Award – Metro

Councillor Linda Downey (Canterbury-Bankstown Council)

  • Elected Representative Award – Regional/Rural

Councillor Sue Moore – Mayor (Singleton Council)

  • Employment Diversity Award – Metro

City of Canada Bay Council

  • Employment Diversity Award – Regional/Rural

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council

 

  • Champion of Change Award – Metro

Emily Scott – General Manager (Waverley Council)

  • Champion of Change Award – Metro

Greig Schuetrumpf – Director of City Assets (City of Canada Bay Council)

  • Champion of Change Award – Regional/Rural

Eloise Chaplain – Director of Infrastructure Delivery (Narrabri Shire Council)

  • Champion of Change Award – Regional/Rural

David Hughes – Director – Built and Natural Assets (Lake Macquarie City Council)

  • Councillor Lilliane Brady OAM Award

Councillor Linda Scott – Australian Local Government Association President (City of Sydney Council)