Council
3 August, 2026
Celebrating the women shaping our councils
Women making a difference in councils across New South Wales are being encouraged to step into the spotlight, with nominations now open for the 2026 Ministers' Awards for Women in Local Government.
Women making a difference in councils across New South Wales are being encouraged to step into the spotlight, with nominations now open for the 2026 Ministers' Awards for Women in Local Government.
Now in their 19th year, the awards recognise women and councils whose leadership, innovation and commitment have strengthened communities and advanced gender equity across the local government sector.
The winners will be announced at Parliament House on 22 October.
Two new categories have been introduced this year, Excellence in Mentoring and Sponsorship and Emerging Councillor Leadership, bringing the total number of award categories to eight.
The awards recognise outstanding achievements across metropolitan and rural and regional councils, including rising young employees, senior leaders driving cultural change, women breaking down barriers, councils promoting gender equity, women demonstrating exceptional leadership, female councillors making a strong contribution to local government, mentors supporting the next generation of women, and first-term councillors showing outstanding early leadership.
Nominations close on 28 August via https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/about-us/ministers-awards-women-local-government
Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig said the awards recognised women whose leadership, judgement and commitment had made a real difference in councils and their communities.
He said women now made up 40 per cent of elected councillors in NSW following the last local government elections, describing it as significant progress while saying there was still work to do to ensure councils reflected the diversity of their communities.
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