Today the Minister for Local Government the Hon. Ron Hoenig MP announced Judy Hannan MP won the Elected Representative - Metro award at the Women of Local Government awards.
The Award for Elected Representative Award - Metro was designed to recognise a councillor who has improved the position of female elected representatives.
Independently assessed by a panel after a nomination from her co-workers including former Mayors, Councillors and fellow Councillors, today Judy Hannan MP’s dedication and commitment to Women in Council is to be celebrated, particularly as her efforts have helped more women play a role in shaping the future of local government.
Welcoming the award and speaking from Parliament House, Judy Hannan MP said, “It's the little things that I’ve been able to help people with that has made so much of a difference.”
“It’s like the little girl in Oakdale who wrote to me and said she didn’t think Santa would come, but after we ran a Christlmas lights competition she knew Santa would find her home. Assisting with small things like business approvals or ensuring people can keep their animals has made such a personal difference.”
“Unlike other fields where you stand on each other's shoulders, in Local Government as women we hold hands together.”
“My hope is to see more than half of the people elected, working and even at the top being women. We have a way to go and today we are in a much better place than before.”
Being elected to the position of Member for Wollondilly is the culmination of close to two decades of service to her local community. Judy Hannan's involvement in the council has been instrumental in driving positive change within the Wollondilly area, both in policy and with the representation of women. As both a dedicated Councillor for 17 years since 2004 and Mayor from 2007-2008 and 2016-2018, she has consistently strived to improve the lives of the people she represents and serves with a genuine interest in helping women to run for elected Council members.
Throughout the years Judy Hannan has provided individual training and mentoring for young women interested in becoming candidates, and in 2004 after being diagnosed with adeno carcinoma, it was her tireless lobbying that cost prohibitive but highly effective drug Herceptin was added to the PBS, making it available to many women who previously would not have been able to access it.
Judy has shown her support of women in sport through her role in increasing the involvement of council in the South West Academy of Sport, and highlighted the importance of gender diversity in council through the women’s forum she organised, a transformative initiative which saw approximately 30 women run for council positions due to the encouragement and mentorship Judy provided.
Through her role on the council as mayor and member, with Australian Local Government Women's Association NSW (ALGWA) as Deputy President for Country and now as the NSW State Member for Wollondilly, Judy has been a driving force behind numerous initiatives that have had a profound impact on her community and in advancing the role of women in council.
This award recognises Judy’s commitment to service, and her advocacy for female representation in local government which has had a real and lasting impact on her constituents.
Media: [email protected] or Benn Banasik 0434 832 636