By Jena Carr
The Geelong community can meet the female council candidates in the City of Greater Geelong’s wards.
The Empowering Women 50/50×2025 Network and Women in Local Democracy (WILD) will host a Meet the Women Candidates Forum at the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre on August 8.
WILD Geelong convenor Jenny Wills said attendees will hear from federal member for Corangamite Libby Coker and state member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney.
“Attendees will not only have the opportunity to hear from women candidates standing in the new wards, but they can also chat with their ward candidate,” she said.
“I have great hopes that a newly elected Geelong Council will promote a healthy, inclusive and vibrant democracy where people are engaged in decision-making.
“Women need, not so much to be supported, but to be encouraged to stand, which is why WILD, together with council, has hosted a series of information and training sessions for candidates.
“Once on council, it is important that their voices are heard to ensure different perspectives and experiences are reflected in decisions…for gender parity on council.”
The forum will hear from 13 women candidates standing in Geelong’s 11 new wards, with attendees able to meet their ward candidate after formal presentations.
The WILD event will run from 5.30pm to 7.30pm on Thursday, August 8, at the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre, and bookings can be made on the Geelong Regional Libraries’ website.
