The Western Australian Branch of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) is set to increase the number of women in Local Government with the launch of a new mentoring program – Mentor Net.
Supported by the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA), ALGWA WA launched the program in August during WALGA’s Local Government Week. It aims to match up experienced female Councillors with women who are new to the role or those considering standing in the October Council elections.
The initiative was a recommendation in the ALGWA Review of the National Framework for Women in Local Government – The Way Forward.
In addition to the launch of Mentor Net, ALGWA WA also elected a new Branch President, Councillor Janet Davidson, from the City of Perth.
Councillor Davidson said Mentor Net is growing, with a number of executive and committee members already on board.
“ALGWA is maintaining a database of female elected members from across Western Australia who have volunteered to mentor for other women,” she said. “Mentors come from large and small Councils, both rural and metropolitan, and have a wide variety of interests and experience.
“Once we have a complete mentor group, we will produce a booklet comprising the mentor’s Local Government experience, current Council, interests, contact details and photo. New or potential Councillors can then match themselves to a mentor who fits with their experience, they feel comfortable with, and have something in common with.”
Councillor Davidson said Mentor Net is aimed at existing as well as potential Councillors to promote a continuing female Council presence.
“Women can often be alone on a Council and lack somebody to bounce ideas off,” she said. “This is one of many reasons some Councillors only stand for one term. By providing a link to someone in a similar situation, through something as simple as a phone call, we are hopeful that Mentor Net can overcome some of this isolation.”
For further information on the Mentor Net program, contact Councillor Davidson on 0417 974 936.
