About

Join us for the 2023 National Conference hosted by ALGWA and the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council from 17-20 May 2023 at RACV Cape Schanck Resort in Victoria.

The Conference brings councillors and officers together from across Australia, to advance female participation in Local Government and put a spotlight on issues facing women in the sector.

Delegates draw inspiration from thought-provoking presenters, network with other attendees and benefit from the tremendous peer support offered by ALGWA.

Final Program released

Browse through the program highlights below, or download the full program as a PDF.

Program

  • 07:00 -

    Breakfast and registration

    Open for hotel guests - Samphire Restaurant
    Registration open for delegates

  • 08:30 - 10:30
    Woman with glasses
    Simon Kuestenmacher
    Tasneem Chopra
    Kristy McBain

    Conference open

    Bunurong Land Council
    Welcome to Country

    Tasneem Chopra OAM – Cross Cultural Consultant and Broadcaster
    Conference MC welcome

    Mayor Cr Steve Holland – Mayor, Mornington Peninsula Shire
    Host Council welcome

    The Hon Kristy McBain MP – Member for Eden-Monaro, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories
    Welcome address

    Cr Kylie Spears – President, ALGWA Vic
    ALGWA Vic welcome

    Simon Kuestenmacher – The Demographics Group
    Global trends shaping Australia

    Catherine Fox AM – Leading workplace and leadership commentator
    Gender equality in government

    Speakers:
    Woman with glasses

    Catherine Fox

    Simon Kuestenmacher

    Simon Kuestenmacher

    Tasneem Chopra

    Tasneem Chopra

    Kristy McBain

    The Hon Kristy McBain MP

  • 10:30 - 11:15

    Morning Tea and Tradeshow

    Featuring local Mornington Peninsula produce.

  • 11:15 - 12:45
    Woman smiling
    Mel Jones
    Smiling woman

    Women in Sport

    Michelle Kleinert – ALGWA Vic Executive Officer
    2023 Vic Bursary Award

    Melanie Jones OAM – TV and Radio Commentator and former Australian Cricketer
    Keynote address

    Melanie Jones OAM
    Katie Rowe – Associate Professor Sport Management, Deakin University, and Board Director, Basketball Victoria
    Rosie King OAM – Advisor, Geelong Cats
    Breaking barriers in sport

    Linda Scott – ALGA President
    ALGA and National Congress

    Speakers:
    Woman smiling

    Katie Rowe

    Mel Jones

    Melanie Jones

    Smiling woman

    Rosie King

  • 12:45 - 13:30

    Lunch and Tradeshow

    Featuring local Mornington Peninsula produce.

  • 13:30 - 16:00
    Smiling woman with glasses
    Maree McPerson
    Smiling woman
    Tasneem Chopra

    Workshops

    Maree McPherson – Leadership Coach, Facilitator and Mentor
    Mentoring and Leadership

    Tasneem Chopra
    Why diversity matters

    Stacey Daniel – Founder, Board Presence
    Athena Ali – Career Coach
    Accelerating your career

    Speakers:
    Smiling woman with glasses

    Athena Ali

    Maree McPerson

    Maree McPherson

    Smiling woman

    Stacey Daniel

    Tasneem Chopra

    Tasneem Chopra

  • 16:00 - 16:30

    Afternoon Tea

    Horizon Ballroom

  • 16:30 - 17:10
    Man in suit and tie
    Woman with glasses

    Afternoon sessions

    Michael Stefanovic AM – Chief Municipal Inspector
    Ulrike Friedrich – Senior Investigator
    Local Government Inspectorate

    Speakers:
    Man in suit and tie

    Michael Stefanovic

    Woman with glasses

    Ulrike Friedrich

  • 18:30 - 21:30
    Smiling man

    Networking Dinner

    BROUGHT TO YOU BY BENDIGO BANK

    The Epicurean Red Hill
    Join us for an optional offsite dinner event at this iconic local venue. Guests will enjoy an Italian ‘cucina’ style menu in the Epicurean’s Shed Restaurant, a space bringing together rustic and industrial chic amidst cosy open fireplaces. Transport provided.

    Robert Musgrove – General Manager Corporate & Public Affairs, Bendigo Bank
    Sponsor address

    Speakers:
    Smiling man

    Robert Musgrove

  • 07:00 -

    Breakfast

    Open for hotel guests - Samphire Restaurant

  • 08:30 - 10:50
    Woman smiling
    SMiling woman
    Woman smiling
    Smiling woman
    Woman smiling

    Women on Boards

    Liana Thompson – President, Local Government Professionals
    Thriving in the sector

    Liana Thompson
    Stacey Daniel – Founder, Board Presence
    Margot Foster AM – Founder & Director, The Boardroom School
    Women on Boards

    The Hon Melissa Horne MP – Member for Williamstown; Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Roads and Road Safety, Ports and Freight, and Local Government

    Meena Singh – Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People
    Our role in protecting vulnerable communities

    Speakers:
    Woman smiling

    Liana Thompson

    SMiling woman

    Margot Foster

    Woman smiling

    Meena Singh

    Smiling woman

    Stacey Daniel

    Woman smiling

    The Hon Melissa Horne MP

  • 10:50 - 11:20

    Morning Tea

    Horizon Ballroom

  • 11:20 - 12:20
    Smiling woman with glasses
    Maree McPerson
    Smiling woman
    Tasneem Chopra

    Workshops

    Maree McPherson – Leadership Coach, Facilitator and Mentor
    Mentoring and Leadership

    Tasneem Chopra
    Why diversity matters

    Stacey Daniel – Founder, Board Presence
    Athena Ali – Career Coach
    Accelerating your career

    Speakers:
    Smiling woman with glasses

    Athena Ali

    Maree McPerson

    Maree McPherson

    Smiling woman

    Stacey Daniel

    Tasneem Chopra

    Tasneem Chopra

  • 12:20 - 13:15

    Lunch and ALGWA National AGM

    Horizon Ballroom / Great Southern Ballroom

  • 13:30 - 17:00

    Offsite activities (optional)

    Peninsula Hot Springs
    Pt Leo Estate experience
    Sorrento township visit
    Point Nepean National Park

    Transport provided for all activities

  • 18:30 - 22:30
    Smiling woman

    Gala Dinner

    Pre-dinner drinks – 6.30pm – 7pm

    Marianne Saliba – ALGWA President

    John Baker – CEO, Mornington Peninsula Shire

    Kath Koschel – Founder, Kindness Factory

    Music by
    Velvet Bloom
    DJ Hannah

    Speakers:
    Smiling woman

    Kath Koschel

  • 07:00 -

    Breakfast and check out

    Breakfast open for hotel guests.

  • 09:00 - 12:00
    Smiling woman
    Smiling woman
    Smiling woman

    Event keynote and Local Government highlights

    The Hon Julie Bishop – Former Politician, ANU Chancellor
    Keynote address

    Randal Mathieson – Manager Advocacy, Communications & Engagement, Mornington Peninsula Shire
    Dawn Loh – Coordinator Community Engagement, Mornington Peninsula Shire
    Mornington Peninsula Citizens' Panel - Australia's first representative standing panel

    Annemarie McCabe – Mayor, Baw Baw Shire
    2024 state host announcement

    Liz Pattison – Mayor, Surf Coast Shire
    Rebecca McKenzie – CEO, Glen Eira City Council
    Ashleigh Vandenberg – Councillor, City of Melton
    How leaders Connect, Inspire and Thrive

    Licia Heath - Women for Election Australia

    Speakers:
    Smiling woman

    Liz Pattison

    Smiling woman

    Rebecca McKenzie

    Smiling woman

    The Hon Julie Bishop

Speakers

Woman smiling

The Hon Melissa Horne MP

Member for Williamstown

Smiling woman

The Hon Julie Bishop

Chancellor ANU, 38th Foreign Minister of Australia

Kristy McBain

The Hon Kristy McBain MP

Member for Eden-Monaro, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories

Smiling woman

Rebecca McKenzie

Glen Eira City Council

Woman with glasses

Catherine Fox

Leading workplace and leadership commentator

Smiling woman

Liz Pattison

Surf Coast Shire

Tasneem Chopra

Tasneem Chopra

Consultant, Speaker, Broadcaster

Simon Kuestenmacher

Simon Kuestenmacher

Demographer

Smiling woman

Kath Koschel

Kindness Factory

Maree McPerson

Maree McPherson

Leadership Coach, Facilitator and Mentor

SMiling woman

Margot Foster

The Boardroom School

Mel Jones

Melanie Jones

TV and Radio Commentator and former Australian Cricketer

Woman smiling

Liana Thompson

Director, Local Government Leader

Woman smiling

Meena Singh

Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People

Smiling woman

Stacey Daniel

Founder, Board Presence

Smiling woman

Rosie King

Advisor, Geelong Cats

Woman smiling

Katie Rowe

Associate Professor, Deakin University

Man in suit and tie

Michael Stefanovic

Chief Municpal Inspector, Local Government Inspectorate

Smiling woman with glasses

Athena Ali

The Get Noticed Coach

Woman with long dark hair

Renée Rainbow

Vision Super

Smiling woman in red jacket

Ashleigh Vandenberg

Melton City Council

Woman with glasses

Ulrike Friedrich

Local Government Inspectorate

Smiling man

Robert Musgrove

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank

Sponsors

Venue

  • RACV Cape Schanck Resort
    Trent Jones Drive, Cape Schanck VIC 3939
  • (03) 5950 8000
  • capeschanck_conference@racv.com.au