The Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), in partnership with the Victorian Government, has launched the 2026 Mary Rogers Awards for women in local government, recognising the contributions of women councillors and councils advancing gender equality across the sector.
Named after Mary Rogers, who served on the City of Richmond council between 1920 and 1925, the annual awards celebrate the achievements of women civic leaders while promoting greater participation of women in local government and decision-making.
Nominations are now open until Friday, 3 July at 5pm across four categories:
- Mary Rogers Award – recognising an outstanding current woman councillor in Victoria
- Emerging Woman Leader Award – recognising a first-term woman councillor demonstrating leadership
- Gender Equality Council Champion Award (Metro/Interface)
- Gender Equality Council Champion Award (Rural/Regional)
The two council awards recognise Victorian councils leading meaningful change in gender equality and supporting women’s participation in local government.
VLGA President, Josh Fergeus, said the awards highlighted the important role women play across the local government sector and reinforced the importance of gender parity.
“At the conclusion of the local government elections in 2028 we hope that 50 per cent of Victoria’s councillors and mayors will be women,” Fergeus said.
“The VLGA believes that councils should look like the communities they represent.”
Fergeus said recognising the achievements of women councillors helped foster a more inclusive and supportive culture across the sector.
“We know that diversity in the council chamber informs and strengthens decision making and good governance,” he said.
He said the VLGA had a long history of supporting gender equality initiatives in local government, including sector-wide research and leadership programs such as the Local Women Leading Change Program.
“The Mary Rogers Awards is another way we are working to bridge the gender gap and celebrate the contributions women continue to make to the local government sector,” Fergeus said.
The inaugural awards received more than 60 nominations, with the VLGA hoping participation will increase further in 2026.
The awards ceremony will be held at Queens Hall, Parliament House in Melbourne on Thursday, 3 September 2026.
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