Director represents female leadership

Baw Baw Shire’s strategy and organisational performance director Caz McLean has been appointed to the Local Government Gender Equality Advisory Committee (GEAC).

Ms McLean will represent female leaders in the local government sector.

GEAC works to advise the Local Government Minister and Minister for Women on how to deliver the government’s target of 50 per cent female mayors and councillors by 2025.

The committee is led by Member for Northcote Kat Theophanous and Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison.

GEAC was established after the 2020 Victorian local government elections - when 272 women were elected to council – representing 43.8 per cent of councillors.

According to the Victorian government, councils employ more than 45,000 Victorians. While more than half of that workforce is female, only onethird of directors and managers are women, including 30 per cent of chief executives.

Ms McLean said her motivation to apply for the committee reflected on her position as a senior leader at council.

“I have a responsibility to represent my organisation and community, by sharing my insights and ideas about changing this profile and increasing diversity amongst our elected councillors and local government staff,” she said.

Ms McLean said through her involvement with the committee she was striving to build valuable connections and relationships across the local government sector with other people who were committed to making a difference by increasing diversity and female participation in senior leadership roles in councils.

“Importantly I hope to gain a greater understanding of ways to address issues of diversity and equality within council cultures, structural barriers and systems,” Ms McLean said.

Acting Baw Baw Shire chief executive officer Cohen Van der Velde said Ms McLean’s appointment was a “fantastic accomplishment”.

“With a wealth of experience in the sector, Caz will be a valuable addition to the committee and play a key role in seeking gender equality outcomes within the local government sector,” he said.