BLESSED Bean owner Simone Dowding believes its high time the gender imbalance on Wagga City Council was addressed.
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That’s why Mrs Dowding has announced she plans to contest next year’s council elections.
Mrs Dowding’s plans come hot on the heels of 365cups owner Simone Eyles announcing her own candidacy and the pair represented a concerted push from Wagga Women in Business to have more female representation in the next term of council.
“I would support any woman and encourage any woman to be part of the political process and give back to our community – it’s a great way to stay informed, know what’s going on and be able to make a difference,” she said.
“I know the needs for the women in our community and I’m always advocating for women. I really feel with one member of 11 on the council at the moment we need to tip the balance there and have a bit more female energy and represent women.”
Currently only one woman – Yvonne Braid – serves on Wagga City Council. From 2008 to 2012 she was joined by Donna Argus, who failed in her bid for re-election three years ago. Ms Argus only featured in the number two spot on councillor Andrew Negline’s ticket, which may have been partly behind her failure to retain her seat on council.
Cr Braid has acknowledged being the lone woman on council has presented its challenges and believes some of her colleagues look down on her due to her gender.
I really feel with one member of 11 on the council at the moment, we need to tip the balance there and have a bit more female energy and represent women.
- Simone Dowding
“I must say I’ve had a lot of support from some, but as a whole that is probably not the case,” she said.
Cr Braid not only wants to see more women join the elected body, but greater female representation among senior levels of council staff.
“I’ve had a couple talk to me about (running for council), extremely good women, and I think we need at least three or four (women on council), perhaps more,” she said.
“If there’s more, all the better. I urge them to contact me if they want to and also try and attend a couple of council meetings so they have some idea of what is going on.”