By Tanya Steele
It’s local election time and by the end of October this year the Yarra Ranges will see a freshly voted-in group of councillors – but will it be closer to the 50/50 gender representation that state government is striving for?
In 2020 the Yarra Ranges elected its highest number of female councillors – the highest since the council was formed in 1997, improving the gender balance from 11 per cent to 44 per cent.
That year 272 women were elected to local councils around Victoria – the highest amount ever at 43.8 per cent.
Councillor Fiona McAllister has held firmly onto her seat In Ryrie Ward, serving now for four terms and Cr McAllister said that in terms of diversity, Yarra Ranges has made some steps forward.
“For one term, four years ago, I was the only woman and youngest councillor,” she said.
“We ended up with a great and much more diverse group of councillors in this term so I am hoping the same following the next election.”
Fresh in 2020 Johanna Skelton was elected for Lyster ward and current Mayor Sophie Todorov for Melba ward, Cr Todorov said that in 2020 the Yarra Ranges council was one of the 13 ‘fragile councils’ in Victoria, with only one or no women representation in the councillor group.
“I happened to come across a small ad in the local newspaper, seeking mentors for a program led by ‘Voices of Women’ in the Yarra Ranges,” she said.
Cr Todorov said that the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) has also greatly supported her over the years with her role.
“Having more women in local council builds diversity and different perspectives, thus reflecting community,” she said.
“Having raised children, worked, and volunteered in the Yarra Ranges for many years, I took up the opportunity and soon became involved in the VLGA’s ‘Local Democracy in Action’ sessions, learning more about local Council and building confidence around my skills.”
“In 2020, my passion and purpose to help make the community safer and stronger inspired me to nominate as a candidate and I was pleasingly elected as the Melba ward councillor.”
Councillor Skelton said that the Yarra Ranges needs many more women to run for council across Victoria this year to get to 50/50 representation in local government.
“My message to anyone, but especially women and gender diverse people, is this – if you are open to listening and curious about the needs of all members of the community then you can do this role,” she said.
“If you are considering how this role might fit into your life then now is the time to find out. You can contact the CEO, and current councillors, and join the ‘More Women for Local Government’ Facebook group to ask your questions.”
The Victorian State Government has set a target of reaching 50 per cent representation of women in council by 2025 but historically the Yarra Ranges hasn’t ever reached this representation.
In the last four elections, the closest was the 2020 run with four of the nine wards represented by women. Before this, the shire sat in the bottom 20 per cent for women’s representation on local councils across the state.
This number dipped back to three women and six men when now former Yarra Ranges Councillor and Victorian Senator Cathrine Burnett-Wake was appointed as the Upper House member for Eastern Victoria following Edward O’Donohue’s retirement from politics in late 2021.
Cr McAllister said she thinks having a diverse group of councillors is really important .
“We have to think about and make decisions about such a wide range of issues and how they will impact everyone in our community,” she said.
“Having different life experiences and world views is really critical to doing this well. Gender, age, background, culture, experience… all are important in making sure we represent our entire community well.”
A total of 13 women and 45 men have run for council seats since 2008 but in recent times candidates are more evenly distributed with 19 women and 25 men running in 2020.
November 2020 also marked 100 years since the election of Victoria’s first female councillor, Mary Rogers, to Richmond City Council.
Cr Skelton said that she came into the role of councillor with no paid board member experience and has found the Yarra Ranges council organisation and councillors supportive and respectful of her learning journey.
“You don’t need to know it all to do a good job as a councillor. I think it’s more important to have an open mind to learning,” she said.
“In local government, we are always ensuring that gendered impacts are considered in policies, plans and significant projects. Your perspective as a woman or gender diverse person will be valued and is as important as anyone else’s. It is actually legislated in the Gender Equality Act 2020.”
“If you know someone else who would be a wonderful voice for the community, please #tapherontheshoulder and let her know you think she should run.”
“This is what happened to me and I am very thankful I put my hand up to do this.”
Cr McAllister said she would really encourage anyone in the Yarra Ranges to run who feels passionate about this amazing place we live, about making things better and representing people who don’t have a voice.
“The role of councillor does mean taking on a lot but if you have support to do this then being able to make a difference and make sure community needs and views are best represented is very rewarding,” she said.
“The moments that stand out for me and make me grateful for the chance to represent the community are often the little ones where I have been able to help solve a problem or make a great idea come to life.”
The 2024 Victorian local council elections will be the state’s largest single-election program, with a predicted 4.7 million voters participating in 465 individual elections across 78 councils.
Cr Todorov said that as a woman and current Yarra Ranges council Mayor, she is proud to be seen and heard and hopes to inspire other women to put their hands up for the next local government elections.
“As the saying goes, ‘You can’t be what you can’t see’,” she said.
The next local government general elections will be held on Saturday 26 October 2024.
