The number of empowering women gathered together at Parliament House to celebrate the Ministers’ Women in Local Government Awards 2018 was influential. Cate Fennell, Parkes Shire Council was awarded Highly Commended for the Women in a Non-Traditional Role – Rural or Regional Council category. IPWEA (NSW) nominated Cate after she made a lasting impression with her moving keynote presentation at our State Conference in November 2017. Cate opened everyone’s eyes to the barriers affecting the gender imbalance in Engineering and Local Government and made everyone want to make a change. Cate is leading by example rather than just talking. She is currently supervising a number of work experience students, and up until recently, they were all female. The first female engineering work experience student began in December 2017.

The Ministers’ Awards celebrate the contribution of women to local government in NSW. In addition to recognising the significant contribution of Award winners, the Awards aim to encourage more women to take on leadership roles in local government in NSW. The Awards are delivered in partnership with the Minister for Women, the Hon. Tanya Davies MP.

IPWEA (NSW) is going above and beyond to increase awareness on diversity and equality in Public Works in New South Wales, this is why we continue to actively support the Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government each year.