It’s a family affair
Whittlesea councillor Kris Pavlidis had inside knowledge when she was elected in 2005 – she already worked for Whittlesea council.
Pavlidis, one of three women councillors at Whitehorse, was a council social worker frustrated by red tape when residents encouraged her to stand for council. ‘‘I had a good grassroots feel for the needs of the community but was frustrated with getting things moving and influencing decisions that would best represent the needs of the community,’’ she says.
Being the single mother of a son and a daughter, then 17 and 12 respectively, did not stop her running for council. ‘‘My family always comes first, but mothers can be effective councillors. If I can do it, other women can,’’ she says.
When younger, her children attended council-related community events with her, and recently helped organise a council re-election campaign event. ‘‘When you have a public position, it becomes a family affair,” she says. “It teaches kids about community values.’’
Serving on the council has come at a financial cost, though. ‘‘I put my career on hold – you wouldn’t do it for the $26,000 (annual) councillors’ allowance.’’
But Pavlidis has been able to use her social-work experience, advocating on behalf of others, in her role as a councillor.
‘‘I am doing something I am very passionate about and it is a privilege to serve the community,” she says. ‘‘Local government is the closest level of government to the people, and women are very involved in their local communities, whether it be through kindergartens, schools, sporting clubs or a whole range of other activities. That direct experience enriches their input.’’
Pavlidis says the gender imbalance applies not only to councils but to many areas of life, including education and employment.
‘‘Women represent 51 per cent of the population. We’re the majority but it is not reflected in the statistics at decision-making levels,’’ she says.
‘‘Less than a third of councillors in Victoria are women, and the fact that three out of nine Whittlesea councillors are women reflects that.
‘‘It is crucial that women are represented equally around the (council) table and we haven’t struck that balance yet.’’
— Sue Hewitt
