Bayside Council general manager Meredith Wallace has been recognised in the eleventh annual Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government.
Presented on the eve of International Women’s Day, the awards recognise the achievements, drive and innovation of women in NSW councils.
Ms Wallace was highly commended in the General Manager/Senior Staff category for a Metropolitan Council in the awards.
Tracy Moroney, Bayside Council Manager Airport Business Unit, Airport Business Unit won the Non-traditional Role — Metro Award.
Overall, Bayside Council was well-represented at the 2018 Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government with six staff nominated in various categories.
The six nominees from Bayside Council were:
Meredith Wallace, General Manager (nominated by Ron Hoenig MP);
Tracy Moroney, Manager Airport Business Unit, Airport Business Unit;
Kristina Forsberg, Manager People and Organisational Culture;
Samia Dirani, Property Portfolio Manager;
Cheryl Brady, Coordinator Community Capacity Building;
Wendy Dillaway, Coordinator Applications.
Bayside Council mayor Bill Saravinovski congratulated the council staff nominatees and winners.
“I think it says a lot about the cultural of Bayside Council when six staff members are competing with the best in New South Wales,” mayor Sarvinovski said.
“I hope more women are encouraged to take on leadership roles,” he said.
“I am pleased Bayside Council was so well represented at these Awards and I am proud of the work Council is doing breaking down gender stereotypes and encouraging leadership roles for women.”
The Awards were presented by Minister for Local Government Gabrielle Upton and Minister for Women Tanya Davies at a function in Parliament House today.
Ms Upton congratulated the 17 women recognised in the Millicent Preston-Stanley room, named after the first woman elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1925, for their contribution to their communities through local government.
“The exceptional women recognised here today lead by example, not only in their workplaces but also in their communities and both are better for their contributions,’’ Ms Upton said.
“I would like to thank not only the women here today but also the hundreds more achieving behind the scenes in the 128 councils around the State.”
The Awards were established in 2008 to recognise the outstanding efforts of women at the grassroots level of government in metropolitan and rural/regional councils.