- Published:
- Wednesday 8 October 2025 at 10:18 am
Do you know a Victorian woman councillor who has made a significant contribution in local government?
Nominate them for the Mary Rogers Awards.
The recently launched annual awards are part of $20,000 in government funding provided to the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) to recognise women in local government. They also aim to promote gender equality and women’s role in local government and decision-making.
The awards are named after Mary Rogers, who became Victoria’s first woman councillor when elected to Richmond council in 1920. They continue Local Government Victoria’s work to advance gender equality in the sector. Women represented 43% of councillors and 45% of mayors after the October 2024 elections.
The VLGA is running the awards, which have 3 categories:
- Mary Rogers Award. Awarded to a current woman councillor for their outstanding contribution as a civic leader.
- Emerging Woman Leader Award. Awarded to a first-term woman councillor who demonstrates outstanding leadership.
- Gender Equality Council Champion Award. Awarded to a council leading meaningful change in gender equality.
Nominations close 5pm, Friday 24 October. Learn more or nominate at the VLGA website.
Local Government Victoria is part of the Department of Government Services.
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