True or false? Heart disease is the biggest killer of Australian women. The answer is true. In fact heart disease kills four times as many women as breast cancer does over 11,000 women per year(1). Recent Heart Foundation research tells us that awareness of this fact is low, with only one in five women(2) knowing heart disease is the leading cause of death. Go Red for Women is the Heart Foundation s campaign that unites women in the fight against heart disease helping to raise awareness of their risk and the steps they can take to make healthier choices. You can join the campaign and spread the message by wearing red on Friday 11 June. In this way you ll join with thousands of Australians to increase awareness of this important women s health issue in the community. For more information, including lifestyle tips and new recipes, and to order campaign resources, visit the website at http://www.goredforwomen.org.au. Put a date in your diary wear red on 11 June to raise awareness about women s heart health. Footnotes: -1- Australian Bureau of Statistics. Causes of Death (3303.0) 2008. March 2010. -2- Heart Foundation. Heart Watch. June 2009 (unpublished)




    
2010 Year of Women in Local Government

The Australian Local Government Women's Association joins in the celebration of 2010 the Year of Women in Local Government.

The launch of the 2010 Year of Women in Locla Governmnet was hosted by the City of Sydney and attended by Federal, State and Local Government representatives, Year of Local Government Ambassadors, Local Government CEO's, General Managers and Local Government employees.

Cr Karen McKeown, Ambassador for NSW and ALGWA NSW State President attended on behalf of the ALGWA National Executive.

Minister Albanese stated that Local Government as the level of government closest to the community, makes an important contribution to the nation, delivering vital infrastructure and human services. "Given the contribution Local Governments make and the role they play, it is absolutley critical that they remain relevant to, and in touch with their communities" Minister Albanese said. "Less than a third of Councillors are women, and only seven per cent of CEO's are women."

The ALGWA is greatly appreciative of the commitment of the Australian Government to the 50:50 Vision Council for Gender Equity. The Government has provided $250,000 for ALGWA's three year program which will audit councils to determine the status and partcipation of women in leadership adn decision making roles. The ALGWA will also work with the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government to improve the collection of data and reporting on the status of women in the Local Government sector.