Doin’ it for the sistas

By Jade Lawton
CARDINIA Shire Council – the only Melbourne municipality without a female councillor – celebrated the year of women on local government by inviting past female representatives to share their stories this week.
Addressing other female council staff and local businesswomen, the former councillors spoke of a different era.
Jennie Vaughn, a former schoolteacher, was the first woman elected to the Shire of Berwick in 1968.
“They said what toilet will she use? We’ll have to build one.
“It was very interesting for the next three years. I was sometimes mistaken for the tea lady.
“I remember man landing on the moon was on a Monday, the TV set was brought in and we delayed lunch for half an hour to watch. The yearly allowance was $47. I think things have changed,” she smiled.
Janice Bateman was the second woman to break into council, elected in 1971. She served on the Shire of Berwick, which became the City of Berwick, and was the first female mayor in 1980.
“During the past 40 years I have endeavoured to always act with honesty, integrity and compassion and to at every opportunity encourage women to step forward and be a part of the decision-making process at whatever level they felt the need to be involved,” she said.
“It is so important that as women we accept the right and responsibility to be a part of the decision-making process, if we want our world to be a better place.”
Kate Lempriere, a councillor until the most recent election, said she was very proud to have been part of the ‘Cardinia Shire family.’
“I was elected in 2002 as a first-time councillor and a first-time mayor. It was a very steep learning curve,” she said.
“I really believe we need to have women in local government … never, ever, ever feel you are not equal to a man. We are different, but we each have our own way of contributing.
“Very few female mayors remain since the last council election. It’s madness. Women don’t support women. For God’s sake, why not? Why in Australia do we allow this to happen?”
Lenore Gullquist said a Rod Stewart concert inspired her stint on council.
“I started by chance. I lived in Upper Beaconsfield with little kids, and we wanted a kindergarten. We had a steering committee and went to a meeting in 1976 with signs. They wouldn’t give us a straight-up answer, but I thought it was interesting,” she said.
“A few weeks later I went to see Rod Stewart. He was 30, I was 30, and I thought look at what he’s done with his life.
“A vacancy came up (on the council) and I thought I’d give it a go.”
Ms Gullquist was the only nomination. She won the position in the next election, standing against (now McMillan MP) Russell Broadbent. During her time on council she passed a motion that female council staff be allowed to wear trousers to work, an idea that was met with some derision from her male colleagues but eventually got through.
“It was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. I learnt an enormous amount; it was both challenging, rewarding and exhilarating,” she said.
Helen Ward, the final speaker, represented Bunyip Ward from 2002-2005.
“At the time Cardinia was a council of seven men, and sadly it has reverted back to that,” she said.
“I learnt many things during my term, met some wonderful people, and others I would have preferred never to have met. I learnt to ignore emotional argument and deal only with fact; and my long-time philosophy of treating people how you wish to be treated served me well.”
Cr Brett Owen, one of Cardinia’s ‘women’s champions’ thanked all the past councillors for their time.
“Council is committed to this issue of getting more women in council. We adopted the women’s charter six months ago and appointed two champions of the charter, Collin Ross and myself. We will be doing the very best we can to promote that charter.
“My very wise wife tells me this council is boring, all seven are caucasion males, and mainly older males. Hopefully in a few years we will have a council that greater represents the community.”