Could you be a councillor?

A series of in-person and online workshops will be held for anyone interested in nominating for the Baw Baw Shire council elections.
With local government elections fast approaching in October, now is the time to start considering if becoming a local councillor is the path for you.
Baw Baw Shire will host sessions over the next month as part of a pre-election candidate development program.
Delivered by the Victorian Local Government Association (VLGA), the sessions will cover topics including the basics of becoming a councillor, election campaign essentials, importance of codes of conduct, and legal and regulatory obligations.
The sessions include "Becoming a Councillor" on Wednesday, June 26 from 6pm to 8pm online; "Life as a Woman Councillor" on Monday, July 1 at West Gippsland Arts Centre from noon to 2pm or Thursday, July 4 from 6pm to 8pm online; and, "Becoming a Councillor and Election Campaign Essentials" on Monday, July 15 from 10am to noon and 1pm to 3pm at West Gippsland Arts Centre.
Baw Baw Shire mayor Annemarie McCabe encouraged community members to attend the local sessions and spoke highly of her experiences as a councillor.
"Being a councillor gives you a unique opportunity to make a real difference in your own community, and I have absolutely loved the chance to get to know my fellow residents," Cr McCabe said. "It has been a very rewarding experience in many ways, from decision making, attending events, meeting people and advocating on behalf of our community, to name a few."
Female candidates will hear from previous women councillors in sessions "Life as a Woman Councillor". Facilitated by Tanja Kovac and Dr Maree Overall, the informal and relaxed sessions will cover standing for office, getting elected and serving as a councillor from the unique experience of women.
The "Becoming a Councillor" introductory session covers all the foundations. Attendees will learn about legal and regulatory obligations, participatory decision-making, importance of codes of conduct, and essential community leadership skills.
The four-hour workshop "Becoming a Councillor and Election Campaign Essentials" will cover all the areas listed in the above workshop. It will also introduce the importance of recognising and representing diverse people, views and needs within the community. It will also cover effective campaign techniques as well as developing and using communications and social media to reach community members.
In addition to these events, the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) will organise and deliver 15 hybrid community and candidate information sessions across Victoria, including three in Gippsland.
These sessions will be held in Bairnsdale on Wednesday, July 24; Leongatha on Thursday, July 25; and, Morwell on Monday, August 12. Baw Baw Shire chief executive officer Mark Dupe will be part of the panel discussion at the Leongatha and Morwell sessions.
Visit bawbawshire.vic.gov.au/councilelections to register for the local VLGA workshops.
or further information and registration for MAV sessions, visit mavevents.cventevents.com/event/SFCInformationSessions.