Amy Johnson from Lachlan Shire in New South Wales has been recognised with a national award from the National Heart Foundation of Australia and the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) for her contribution to improving heart health in her community.
Amy was acknowledged for her outstanding work as Young Parents Program Coordinator, managing the Widening the Circle program at Lachlan Shire Council in Central New South Wales.
The program aims to improve the health and wellbeing of young Aboriginal parents aged 12 to 25 years and their dependent families, helping to close the gap between young parents and services.
Amy Johnson received $1,000 for the Lachlan Shire Council Program and a plaque to recognise her outstanding success.
“Amy encourages young parents to widen their circle of friends, increase their knowledge and open their minds to new experiences by providing pathways to access facilities and discover avenues for personal growth,” said National Chief Executive Officer of the Heart Foundation Dr Lyn Roberts.
Heart disease remains Australia’s biggest killer of women. More than 11,000 women die each year from heart disease, but the good news is that it is largely preventable.
Go Red for Women is the Heart Foundation’s campaign to raise awareness of heart disease as a women’s health issue, and promote healthier choices.
“Local Government is an important sector for improving heart health, as councils play a vital role in the investment into local community services, programs and activities,” said National President of Australian Local Government Women’s Association Darriea Turley.
2010 is the Year of Women in Local Government, which has provided the Heart Foundation and ALGWA with an important opportunity to collaborate in raising awareness about heart health in women.
For further information about women and heart disease visit www.goredforwomen.org.au
As part of the Year of Women in Local Government last year, the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River developed a Women in Leadership program.
Augusta-Margaret River promoting women in leadership roles
The program is a new initiative for the West Australian council, intent on increasing the representation of women in key decision making roles within the organisation.
The Shire is committed to a diverse workforce enabling women to fully contribute, reach their full potential and build successful careers.
Organisations that are employers of choice for women have access to a larger talent pool, are well positioned to represent the needs of their residents and communities, and understand the link between a higher proportion of women in top management and increased success.
Augusta-Margaret River believes its current managers and executives do not reflect the diversity of the local population and customer base – particularly in terms of gender and cultural diversity. This limits diversity in decision making which reduces the capacity to reflect the interests, concerns and needs of the community.
Council introduced the program with the aim to become a better Local Government through increased numbers of women in executive positions.
The program has been developed in response to a number of research documents which highlighted the under representation of women in management roles within the Local Government sector across the country.
The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River is committed to the following strategies:
ï ëvaluing the difference’ through developing a culture that embraces gender equality
ï removing barriers such as gender bias, and valuing work/life needs
ï bridging the divide by supporting women in their career aspirations.
The strategies are broken down into targets, actions, key performance indicators and assigned responsibility within the organisation.
The Women in Leadership program will be reviewed this year following internal surveys and national outcomes from the 2010 Year of Women in Local Government.
For more information contact Tessa Dornan telephone (08) 9757 2712.
