Almost four years ago, Tonia Dudzik put her hand up for a seat on a Moorabool council long dominated by men.
She didn’t believe the community was “adequately represented”; there were no women or young people.
“In 2016, females equate to 50.2 per cent of the overall population,” Cr Dudzik said. “Until there are four women on Moorabool council, women will [not] be adequately represented.”
Before the 2012 local government elections, Cr Dudzik attended the Victorian Local Governance Association’s GoWomenLG initiative to learn about running in an election.
She learnt about councillor duties and elections and felt confident after seeing 200 other women in the room interested in standing for councils.
GoWomenLG provides women with resources, networking opportunities and campaign ideas.
“My advice to women with an interest in local government is to consider running for council at some stage in your life,” Cr Dudzik said.
“There is no doubt that the role of a councillor can be difficult and time consuming. But it can also be rewarding to bring change or to help a person who needs assistance.”
Cr Dudzik, an east ward councillor and the only female Moorabool councillor, is joining calls for more women to run in this year’s local government elections.
For more information about the campaign, visit www.gowomenlg.org.au
