CABOOLTURE SEMINAR FOR LG WOMEN

Women from Caboolture and surrounding areas who are interested in finding out what it is like to work as a local government councillor are invited to attend the Beattie Government’s ‘Women into Local Government’ seminar in Caboolture.

Minister for Women Margaret Keech today announced the November 21 Caboolture seminar as one of six free seminars being run throughout the state in November and December this year.

“Women constitute only 30 per cent of all elected councillors and 15 per cent of mayors in Queensland. The ultimate aim of the seminar series is to increase the number of women in local government,” Mrs Keech said.

“These seminars will allow women to hear first-hand from experienced councillors and chief executive officers about local government election processes and personal perspectives on their working lives.”

Guest speakers are Caboolture Shire Mayor Councillor Joy Leishman, Caboolture Shire Councillor Yvonne Barlow andCaboolture Shire CEO Rob Noble.

Cr Joy Leishman is well respected for her extensive community involvement and was first a councillor in 1985. Cr Yvonne Barlow has been a councillor since 1997and Mr Noble has been the CEO of Caboolture City Council for 15 years.

“Crs Leishman and Barlow have a wealth of experience and I encourage as many Caboolture women as possible to take advantage of this ‘one-off’ event,” Mrs Keech said.

The Beattie Government’s Office for Women is running the seminars in partnership with the Queensland chapter of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association and the Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation.

“Women bring a unique perspective and a high level of skills and expertis to local government while also having a great sense of what’s going on in the community,” Mrs Keech said.

“The experience women gain in local government can also stand them in good stead for ongoing career development and further leadership roles.

“This seminar is for women who are interested in or are considering careers in local government andis a component of the Beattie Government’s community awareness program for these elections.”

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The topics covered in the seminar program will include:

• the role of councils and the significant contribution that women can make through local government
• roles and responsibilities of local government councillors
• the political/business matrix
• the skills and attributes of a successful councillor
• outline of registration and election processes
• support, mentoring and networking

The seminar will be held at the Caboolture Memorial Hall from 6pm to 7.30pm on Tuesday, November 21. Bookings are essential.

For more details about this and other seminars, or to register, visit www.women.qld.gov.au/seminars or phone 1800 177 577.

Media contact: David Smith 3225 1005 or Joanna Whitaker 3224 2006