LESS than a year away from Orange City Council elections, sole female councillor Joanne McRae is hoping to balance the numbers.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The council is one of only 11 councils in NSW with a single female councillor, with Mid-Western Regional Council in Mudgee also making the list.
Only three councils have none, including Blayney Shire Council, Wingecarribee in the Southern Highlands and Berrigan in the Riverina.
Most councils across the state have three or more.
The Australian Local Government Women's Association will host a workshop on Saturday at Orange City Council chambers for women who want to find out more about being a councillor.
The day will include information about how much time is involved, campaigning and the influence women can have over council decisions.
Participants will hear from Cr McRae, Fairfield councillor Sera Yilmaz, Penrith councillor Karen McKeown and Lithgow councillor and ALGWA NSW president Cassandra Coleman.
She said there was sometimes a sense women reached the top and "pull up the ladder so others can't get there".
DATA: The visual below shows how many female councillors are currently elected on councils across NSW. The list does not include councils under administration...
"Cass's approach is we use our experience to help other people come with us," she said.
But while ALGWA was committed to seeing women succeed, Cr McRae said it was essential women campaigned in electable positions.
"I was the only woman who led a ticket and I'm the only female councillor," she said.
However, she said leading a ticket was possible because of the support she received from both her team and her friends and family, and similar support could be found at Saturday's workshop.
"If [standing is] not what they want to do, they might be thinking about who they can help lift up," she said.
ALGWA's former national president, councillor Coral Ross, said NSW had fallen behind the rest of Australia in terms of female representation.
"NSW is now the only state below 30 per cent female representation," she said.
"Personally, I look forward to the first state breaking 40 per cent, but it is vital our largest state NSW overcomes 30 per cent so we can continue on our goal of equal representation in local government to better serve our communities."
Saturday's workshop will run from 10am until 4pm, including morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.
Attendance is free, register by emailing council@orange.nsw.gov.au
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Send us a letter to the editor using the form below: