Zoe Moffatt
If you’ve noticed the noise surrounding local council getting louder recently you are not alone.
With elections about eight months away, future candidates are making their voices heard, and the newest voice belongs to Sunbury mum Kate Hamley.
Ms Hamley is a solo mum of two, a scientist and said she’s determined to make a difference for her community.
“We’ve been in Sunbury for about 7.5 years now,” she said. “We moved because it was closer to work and still had that part-country, part-urban feel and was a wonderful community to come into.
“I’m an agricultural scientist so I work a lot with farmers and growers, which helps give me a good scope of the rural issues.”
In a current council that only has just three female councillors out of 11, Ms Hamley is part of a state-wide movement to take on male-dominated councils.
Joined by more than 120 other women, Ms Hamley participated in the Women Leading Locally Fellowship, which is supported by the state government to meet its target of 50 per cent female councillors by 2025.
Women participating in the program also represent other historically underrepresented groups including First Nations women, young women, culturally and linguistically diverse women, women living with disability and women who identify as LGBTQI+.
Ms Hamley said every sporting club, community group, school parents group and local committee you’ll find amazing women with their sleeves rolled, getting things done.
“We are the lifeblood of our communities, but even in 2024 we still don’t have a fair seat at the table where decisions are being made about us,” she said.
Moving onto her focus for council, Ms Hamley said she believes councils should take ambitious action to address housing accessibility and cost of living pressures.
“I’m really passionate about accessible housing as there’s a lot of people struggling in Hume.
“The cost of living is really hurting people and to solve these issues we need all levels of government to work together.
“I am determined to try and do something to help people, we have a once in a generation opportunity at the moment.”
