Mayor Dallas Tout and deputy mayor Georgie Davies are proud to be part of a council that allows different opinions. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Communication specialist Georgie Davies was re-elected as Wagga’s deputy mayor for another year at council’s recent meeting.
“It’s a real opportunity to show up to events, to continue to be a really positive, respectful, inclusive role model for council, to advocate for different issues that our council is facing,” she said.
“We’ve got a lot of opportunities, but also a lot of challenges. So it’s an opportunity to step forward and work on some of those by bringing new ideas and perspective to council.”
Cr Davies became the youngest ever female to be elected to Wagga Wagga City Council (WWCC) in December 2021.
With five out of its nine seats filled by women councillors, WWCC is one of the only female-majority councils in regional Australia.
Local government, though, has historically had a reputation for being a tough place for women, something Wagga Council has endeavoured to address.
A 2023 survey from the NSW Branch of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) found that 61 per cent of female councillors had experienced bullying, while more than 40 per cent had experienced harassment and intimidation.
In the confidential survey, 42 per cent said they would not recommend local government to another woman due to the bullying, harassment and intimidation. ALGWA started the #NotOnMyCouncil initiative to promote safety, inclusion and respect for women in local government in response.
WWCC endorsed ALGWA’s #NotOnMyCouncil initiative, a motion put forward by Cr Amelia Parkins at the council meeting.
Wagga Mayor Dallas Tout said he had observed a lot of inappropriate behaviour directed at women councillors during his time in local government. During the meeting, he said things had improved but “there is still a long way to go”.
“The number of female councillors really doesn’t relate directly into the inappropriate behaviour that happens,” he said.
“I think there’ll be a number of councils that come out and advocate and champion this a lot, but there’ll be others who won’t, or really won’t be aware.
“Some people are just unaware of what they’re doing, and that’s where it takes councillors, whether they’re male or female, to pull people out, take them aside and have a conversation.”
He believes #NotOnMyCouncil is not just a matter for local council, and hopes to push the initiative to a state level.
Cr Tout is proud to be part of a team that allows councillors – regardless of gender – the space to have different opinions.
He is “really” happy to continue working with Cr Davies for another 12 months. Cr Davies was appointed acting mayor while he was away for four weeks.
“It was good timing [when he came back],” Cr Davies said.
“It was very busy being acting mayor, but it was a wonderful opportunity. I’m glad Dallas is back, and I think my husband is too.”
Cr Tout said he was glad his council showed high levels of respect.
“As long as it’s respectful and you all acknowledge each other’s opinions … and the behaviour is appropriate.
“It’s when it becomes disrespectful and not OK – that’s when you need to call it out. So I’m proud to be part of a council that operates as we do.”
