AFTER reading Keith Sullivan's letter in last week's Review ("About ability, not gender"), I would like to point out to Keith that it is not only the Oberon Council endeavouring to balance local government by encouraging females to seek election and work for their community.
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Many local government areas will be doing just that - trying to encourage women to take part in the decision-making that often affects them.
Shall I mention the facts about Oberon Council? There has never, ever been more than two women on Oberon Council (at once) in the entire time we have had local government, and mostly only one at a time.
We the women of Oberon (and I have spoken to many) feel it is only fair that there be at least one or several women's workshops. After all, if Keith were to look at the population of Oberon, more than half the population would likely be female.
IN OTHER NEWS AROUND OBERON:
Oberon Council has traditionally been a male-dominated council. Why should the women of Oberon not be allowed to have information sessions in an endeavour to try to balance the council?
Surely, as Oberon has nine councillors, it would be fair in this modern day and age for there to be five female councillors and just four male councillors.
Keith has been going on and on about 'secret squirrel' meetings for such a long time, I think perhaps his memory is letting him down or maybe he has become lost in the past and is unable to move forward into the future.
I thought this was an appropriate time to remind him that even when he was mayor there was only one female councillor, Margaret Grady.
Remember, it has not been traditional for women to undertake these roles, hence the need for information sessions for women and lots of encouragement.
Is Keith truly concerned about the expense? I have taken the time to ask the mayor about this and if workshops are held, it is at no cost to council. Both the mayor and a female councillor from a neighbouring council are giving their time and the NSW Electoral Commission/Local Government NSW offer a wide range of free information used in the workshops.
Remember, this is a statewide initiative in an effort to encourage women to think about a role on council.
Were there any costs involved I would be happy to help with that cost. Maybe the women would be more than happy to contribute towards the cost of such important sessions.
I call on the women of Oberon to stand up and be counted. It's time to undertake the role of decision-maker for your community.
Our mayor is offering an opportunity we should not miss.
