Waverley has been leading the way with significant numbers of women in leadership roles for many years. Of the 142 New South Wales councils, there are currently six female General Managers. Up until 18 months ago, Waverley had one of the few female General Managers in Local Government across Australia.
Kim Anson held Waverley’s top corporate job for seven years until June 2008. She spent 17 of her 19 years working at Waverley Council in executive management roles.
“There’s no question that Kim had a lot of respect from the Councillors and staff and that she was also held in high regard by our community and others throughout Local Government,” said Tony Reed, who replaced her. “We are very proud of Kim and her contribution to Council and our community.”
Tony Reed said the trend of having women in senior management roles has continued at Waverley.
“We currently have two female Directors,” he said.
“Meredith Wallace oversees Recreation, Customer and Community Services and Bronwyn Kelly manages Corporate and Technical Services, which covers traditionally male dominated areas such as finance, parking and technical services. In addition, a third of our divisional managers are women, some looking after traditionally male dominated areas, like compliance and parking.
“We seem to attract excellent professional women to many of our key roles, and I’m happy to say that due to Waverley being a great workplace and a family friendly environment, we tend to keep them as well!”
Meredith Wallace said she enjoys working at Waverley because of the ‘can do’ organisational culture.
“We are not the largest or best resourced council, but our approach is to find new ways to achieve the things our Councillors and community value,” she said. “We have a wonderful track record in providing services, programs and amenities to our diverse community and talent, skill and contribution are recognised at Waverley. People, regardless of gender, are respected for what they bring to their role.
“It’s important to have a workforce that reflects the demographic of its community. From the newest apprentice to the longest serving staff member, male and female, we are all part of a team that delivers great things now and into the future for Waverley.”
Bronwyn Kelly said that she enjoys working at Waverley because of its work culture.
“Waverley is genuinely committed to the same things I am – to family, to doing something for others, especially those who are less fortunate, and to looking to the future of the people who live here,” she said. “Senior management and Councillors don’t put barriers in the way when you’re genuinely trying to improve policy and implement things. They don’t put barriers up for anyone really – male or female.
“Women can succeed here, particularly in areas usually dominated by men, and they are respected for their diverse contributions. Gender just isn’t an issue at Waverley.”
Council’s Divisional Manager for Recreation, Community Planning and Partnerships, Maree Girdler, has worked at Waverley since 1985. She said one of the reasons she has stayed at Council is the support it provides to employees.
“I started part time as a childcare social worker, then I had three children and Council was extremely supportive in giving me a lot of time off,” she said. “They were also very flexible and reduced my hours when I needed to look after my family.
“Having a young family didn’t hinder my career progression. Council still offered me a variety of challenging and interesting jobs and provided a lot of encouragement and training – I think Waverley is such a great place to work because of it.”
Council’s family friendly policies include the provision of places at childcare centres for parents returning to work, work from at home opportunities, flexible or reduced work hours, a nine day fortnight and maternity, paternity and carers’ leave.
Waverley’s other female Divisional Managers include place managers Bobbi Mayne and Lorna Bussell and Linda Bathur who looks after the Library and Customer Services. Nada Mardini oversees Compliance and Regulations, Catherine Price manages Parking and Emily Scott supervises the Environmental Services team.
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