The inaugural winners of the Mary Rogers Awards for women in local government have been announced by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA).
Cr Kylie Spears, Maroondah City councillor and former mayor, who is now in her third term, was recognised for her visionary and inclusive leadership and her work in strengthening civic participation, championing gender equality, and amplifying underrepresented voices.
The VLGA, in partnership with the Victorian Government, made the announcement at a special presentation ceremony at Queen’s Hall, Parliament House.
As National President of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association and former President of ALGWA Vic, Cr Spears has a long-history of mentoring emerging women leaders and has made significant contributions to advancing equality in local government, championing investment in female-friendly sporting facilities, as well as through the arts, cultural and youth initiatives.
Cr Katharine Nikolic from Brimbank City Council was awarded the Emerging Woman Leader Award – a first-term councillor and one of the youngest in Victoria, whose strategic insight, lived experience and a deep commitment to equity is already inspiring the next generation of civic leaders.
She is currently co-chair of the Brimbank Youth Council, has empowered young people to influence decision-making and lead campaigns on mental health, inclusion and civic participation. As Deputy Chair of LeadWest, she is also having an impact regionally, contributing to major infrastructure commitments including Melbourne Airport Rail, Sunshine Station and the Calder Park Drive interchange.
Monash City Council was recognised for its long-standing leadership in the Gender Equity space and the success of its investment in internal collaboration and external partnerships, receiving the Gender Equality Council Champion Award.
As a Victorian leader in primary prevention, Monash City Council has delivered major multi-partner projects addressing gender equity and preventing violence against women, including the Eastern Region PVAW program, Generating Equality and Respect, Community Leaders United by Sport, and the Free from Violence (FFV) initiative.
Internally through its Gender Equity Advisory Committee it has successfully driven cultural and behavioural changes, increasing staff confidence, shared language, and use of Gender Impact Assessments. Through its work the Council continues to advance gender equity and inspire others to do the same,
VLGA CEO, Kathryn Arndt, said that these Awards shone a spotlight on the very important contribution women make to the local government sector and the importance of gender parity.
She said they also serve as a platform to promote and advocate for the advancement of gender equality and focus on supporting women’s participation in local government and decision-making.
“The high-calibre nominations we received for the inaugural Mary Rogers Awards are testament to the depth and breadth of talented women leaders currently working in the local government sector,” Arndt said.
“I extend my warmest congratulations to all those nominated, our finalists and our outstanding and very worthy winners.”
“The VLGA’s vision is to see 50 per cent of women elected as councillors and mayors by the next local government election in 2028. We are proud to be the organisation behind these Awards and hope they will help inspire other women to stand and follow in these women’s footsteps,” Ms Arndt said.
Victorian Minister for Local Government, Nick Staikos, echoed that sentiment.
“We are now very close to achieving gender parity across Victoria’s councils,” Staikos said.
“The Mary Rogers Award will continue to inspire more women to stand for local government and lead change in their communities.”
Named after Mary Rogers – the first woman to be elected to a Victorian Municipal Council (City of Richmond 1920-1925) – the annual Awards celebrate and acknowledge the significant contributions and achievements of women councillors as civic leaders in local government.
Arndt said the VLGA had a long and proud history of being a leader in the gender equality space, promoting the benefits of balanced gender representation and delivering high quality programs and resources which improve gender equality outcomes for the sector, including the VLGA’s acclaimed Local Women Leading Change (LWLC) program – which the VLGA has delivered for close to two decades.
The VLGA has committed to running the Mary Rogers Awards for women annually.
