Adelaide’s 10 new female mayors explain their top priorities and why women have been elected to SA councils in record numbers
The 10 female mayors of metropolitan Adelaide are keen to get on with the job. They tell Craig Cook about their top priorities and share their thoughts on why women have been elected to SA councils in record numbers.
Women have been elected in record numbers at the 2018 South Australian local government elections and almost a third of all councils are now led by a woman.
Figures are yet to be finalised by the Electoral Commission, but in the biggest wave of female representation in South Australian history, 22 of the state’s 68 councils elected a female mayor.
The number of female leaders is expected to increase in the coming weeks when 15 councils elect their chairperson or mayor from within.
There were only nine female mayors elected in South Australia in 2014.
Currently 226 of the 655 council members elected this year are women, which at 34.5 per cent is the highest percentage of female representation in the state’s history.
Several councils now have a majority of female elected members, including Unley which has gone from one female councillor to eight women on the 13-member council.
Assessments about the phenomenal success of woman being elected range from the “it’s time” factor to the straightforward view that they were the best people for the job.
Holdfast Bay Mayor Amanda Wilson said the “myth” that women were not leaders had been “shattered once and for all”.
In the Upper Spencer Gulf region, Whyalla has a new female mayor.
But nowhere has the wave of women leaders been more pronounced than across metropolitan Adelaide, where 10 of the 17 councils – almost 60 per cent – now have a female mayor.
Eight of them are newly elected to the role including: Claire Boan (Port Adelaide Enfield), Heather Holmes-Ross (Mitcham), Erin Thompson (Onkaparinga), Elizabeth Fricker (Walkerville), Anne Monceaux (Burnside), Jill Whittaker (Campbelltown) and Ms Wilson, who had been acting mayor at Holdfast Bay.
Sandy Verschoor is the third woman to hold the role of Adelaide Lord Mayor, after Wendy Chapman (1983-85) and Jane Lomax-Smith (1997-2000).
About 450 women nominated for council positions this year – an all-time record and up 20 per cent compared with 2014.
Adelaide’s 10 new female mayors’ priorities
Sandy Vershoor
Adelaide
First priority: My first priority is bringing together our new Council to discuss how we can work with each other to get the best outcomes for our community. There has been significant change at the City of Adelaide, with two-thirds of Council Members being newly elected.
Rise of women: It’s wonderful to see the number of female mayors in SA more than double at this election. With a record number of nominations from women for roles on Councils, it is great to see so many being elected to represent their communities. However, there is still more work to be done with women still only accounting for around one-third of SA mayors.
The more our councils and parliaments represent the diversity of our communities, the better decisions they will make on our behalf, by including a variety of skills, experiences and perspectives. This includes gender, age, ability, ethnicity and culture.”
ANNE MONCEAUX
BURNSIDE
First priority: “The first priority is reinstating the good name of Burnside — not only in our community but across the state. Governance and financial probity will be a big focus. We have a really good mix of gender and ages joining council and I’m excited to get on with the job.”
Rise of women: “Maybe the #Metoo movement has had an impact — perhaps? I can’t speak for the 5500 people who voted for me but I have been very active in my community for many years and I had strong support from men as well as women. People were certainly looking for change this election. Burnside now has a majority of women and we’ve never had that. Women can bring a different perspective. There is a caring aspect of women that can help good governance. But maybe my views comes more from my teaching role rather than from being a woman? As a teacher you have to be caring and compassionate and you have to listen. I’m not saying men don’t do that, but I see it more frequently with women.”
JILL WHITTAKER
CAMPBELLTOWN
First priority: The biggest issue in Campbelltown is the infill housing development that is causing real distress for residents. It’s affecting every suburb and every street. We have some of the smallest block sizes around and we’re still building three bedroom houses on them. With a steadfast resolve we’ll be talking with the state government to see what can be done.
Rise of women: “I think women are feeling they have a lot to contribute. You have a lot of women with good skills and successful careers who see issues in their community and realise they are in a position to help achieve things. It’s also because it’s local, and things that matter directly to the family, that it means a lot, certainly that was true for me getting involved with local government. Women have passion about those things and have the confidence now that they have the ability to make a difference.”
ANGELA EVANS
CHARLES STURT
First priority: “The Coast Park Path and working through the practicalities of getting that done is a first step. It’s time to bring some closure to the project and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the state government to ensure a positive outcome.”
Rise of women: “We live in a patriarchal system but women have done pretty well to show they know how to navigate the system and to operate successfully. The LGA’s concerted campaign to increase diversity, including more women and people of a younger age was a factor. Also the community was keen for some freshness into councils this time. And if I might be so bold, the poor leadership examples of late by men, who seem to lack empathy, have not given people confidence.”
AMANDA WILSON
HOLDFAST BAY
First priority: “I want to see the Jetty Road upgrade underway, start the process of growing sand dunes along the coast, lead the way for using more recycled waste in our infrastructure and get older people out and about more. There is so much I want to do, much of it is long term, and I cannot wait to start.”
Rise of women: “A large number of female mayors were elected this year because they were the most qualified for the position. Women bring the same desire to advance their community as men do. The way they do things may be different as we tend to be more collaborative and less confrontational. In many cases woman have had to work harder to be elected as they have had to overcome the inherent sexism in politics (that woman are not leaders) but it looks like that myth has been shattered.”
HEATHER HOLMES-ROSS
MITCHAM
First priority: “I would like to create a Mitcham that everyone is proud about. A place that is innovative and creative in solving issues. People love the city of Mitcham but we can do so much better with better planning. We can be a model city where people really want to live there.”
Rise of women: “The shenanigans in federal politics with men in suits behaving badly is definitely a factor. Trump is a part of that too. The #Metoo movement could also be an influence but really I just think it’s women’s time. Clearly a lot of men have voted for women this time too.”
ERIN THOMPSON
ONKAPARINGA
First priority: ‘There’s lots to do in the City of Onkaparinga. Consulting with the community is key. Councils in general could do better with community engagement and Onkaparinga in particular needs to address this area. In addition, we have some of the highest rates in the state and people expect good value. I’ll be looking at generating efficiencies while maintaining and improving services.”
Rise of women: “I think the LGA campaign to increase diversity definitely had an impact and more women nominated this time. At Unley (Council) all the new candidates are women and they now outnumber the men which is so good to see. It’s very empowering. The old adage remains true, if you want something done, give it to someone who is already busy. That’s most women. I was disappointed during my campaign that most questions were around me being a mum and how I would handle that? It’s interesting, that question almost always came from other women. I look forward to being known as more than a mum — as important as that role is.”
CLAIRE BOAN
PORT ADELAIDE ENFIELD
First priority: “First thing is to make sure we are all on the same page about communication. We won’t all be agreeing but as long as we agree on how we communicate. Out and about among the community, people told me that’s why they were voting for me – to be more available.”
Rise of women: “We’ve had more female councillors and they’ve seen what a positive influence they can have and that’s led to an increase in mayoral candidates. From what I’ve understood, the women who have been elected are amazing community people and that’s what it comes down to. It’s about the people not the gender. Some people said they voted for me because I was the only woman, but I actually want to be recognised on the merit of being a worthy and capable person for the job. I had an amazing email from a mum who said seeing my photo up on the Stobie poles was a terrific role model for her daughter and that really moved me. Young girls and young boys are realising anyone who wants to do this job can achieve it.”
GILLIAN ALDRIDGE
SALISBURY
First priority: “A first priority is the completion of the Salisbury Hub as that will be a catalyst for further renewal and for generating more jobs for the region. Improving the quality of life for all residents with greater landscaping is another.
Rise of women: “I think people are recognising the worth of wonderful women more and more. Even when I look at my soccer clubs — they are being run by women. I think it’s our time. People see our value and how fabulous we are and how we can do more than two things at once.”
ELIZABETH FRICKER
WALKERVILLE
First priority: “The changing demographic of the area needs to be addressed. In the past two censuses we’ve gone from a demographic with a median age in the mid-60s to the mid-40s. There’s been an influx of families with the great schools in the area a big enticement. Council needs to engage with this new community and address the issues of this change.”
Rise of women: “Women are at the coal face of the community and that’s why more are becoming involved with local government because they know and understand the issues. Women are very good at networking and finding out information to know what’s going on. It’s not because they have more time, because they don’t, it’s just the way women interact. They also relate in a more open way than some men. I’ve been lucky in my life that my gender has never been a factor and I believe the best person should get the job. I’m not hell bent on gender or quotas but diversity is healthy.”