Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government

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. The categories are:

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

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 2023 Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government

Alternative Pathways Award – Metro

Mary Boustani

ICT Systems Engineer

Inner West Council

 

Alternative Pathways Award – Regional/Rural

Rachael Abberton

Senior Water and Sewer Planning Engineer

MidCoast Council

 

Champion of Change Award – Metro

Ben Taylor

General Manager

Wollondilly Shire Council

 

Champion of Change Award – Regional/Rural

Melissa Maccallum

Manager – Building and Environment

Orange City Council

 

Elected Representative Award – Metro

Councillor Judy Hannan

Wollondilly Shire Council

 

Elected Representative Award – Regional/Rural

Councillor Sarah Ndiaye

Byron Shire Council

 

Employment Diversity Award – Metro

Inner West Council

 

Employment Diversity Award – Regional/Rural

Armidale Regional Council

 

Woman of Distinction Award – Metro (shared)

Renee Traynor

Team Leader Diversity and Inclusion

Canterbury-Bankstown Council

 

Liz Murphy

Manager, Community Recovery

Hawkesbury City Council

 

Woman of Distinction Award – Regional/Rural (shared)

Lucy Kinsley PSM

Regional Library Manager, Richmond Tweed Regional Library

Lismore City Council

 

Helen Plummer

Manager Asset Management

Lake Macquarie City Council

 

Young Achievers Award – Metro

Keira Grundy

Art Gallery Trainee

Mosman Municipal Council

 

Young Achievers Award – Regional/Rural

Jenna Dowell

Trainee Engineer

Upper Hunter Shire Council

 

Councillor Lilliane Brady OAM Award

Councillor Darriea Turley AM, Local Government NSW President

Broken Hill City Council