Australian Honour Awarded to Immediate Past President

Australian Honour Awarded to Immediate Past President

The Australian Local Government Women’s Association former National President, Mrs Kaele Way JP is the recipient of an award in the 2009 Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

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Mrs Way who is Chair of the ALGWA National Steering Committee for the Implementation of the National Framework for Women in Local Government - 'The Way Forward' has been appointed a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM). Mrs Way was awarded the AM for service to the community through the Australian Local Government Women’s Association.

ALGWA National President, Ms Darriea Turley said, 'the Association and its members are delighted that Mrs Way’s contribution to Local Government and the Australian Local Government Women’s Association has been recognised. Mrs Way has provided leadership and guidance to women throughout Australia encouraging and supporting women’s participation and involvement in Local Government. Women are still greatly under represented in Local Government and Mrs Way has worked tirelessly at federal, state and local levels to ensure that issues that affect women’s low participation in Australian Local Government are addressed and the recommendations of ALGWA’s research in The Way Forward has been implemented by all local authorities - including mentoring programmes. Not only have women in the community been encouraged to stand for election but also female officers in decision making positions have been encouraged to strive for higher level management positions. It is imperative that local government reflects the demographics of its local community'.

Mrs Way was elected to the City of Whitehorse Council (Vic) in 1997 and served on a range of Council organisations and as State President of ALGWA Victorian Branch from 2002-2005. Elected to the ALGWA National Board Mrs Way served as Vice President from 2002-2004 and as National President from 2004 until April 2009. Mrs Way was appointed an Honorary Justice of the Peace in 2004.