Interim President

As of 23rd July, the VLGA's Interim President will be Mayor Ruth McGowan. This is due to the fact that theVLGA President, Cr Rose Iser has stood aside as VLGA President until the Greens have completed the pre-selection of their candidate for the State seat of Melbourne.

“While I am confident that I could effectively manage the two roles, I am conscious that there could be a perception of conflict of interest. The VLGA has a vital role in advocating to State Government on behalf of our members and I want to ensure that any such perceptions don’t weaken our capacity to effectively represent our members and the local government sector”, Cr Iser said.

Cr Iser stated that the VLGA now has 56 member councils which is its highest ever local government membership.

“We are currently conducting a number of important campaigns. We have also recently increased our staff numbers which will further improve our capacity to represent our members.”

Cr Iser said that should she be successful in gaining pre-selection, she would consider her position further at that time.

Mayor Ruth McGowan of Baw Baw Shire Council

In 2008 Ruth McGowan was re-elected as a North Ward councillor for the Baw Baw Shire Council, in Victoria's local government elections. In December Ruth was elected Mayor of the Baw Baw Shire for a 12 month term.

I believe we have three key challenges for Baw Baw Shire in 2009

· improving our community engagement efforts so people feel more connected to council's decision making.

· Working with our bushfire affected communities to assist people as they recover from the devastation of Black Saturday

· Improving the council's planning processes so that together, with our community, we can design a sustainable future in response to predicted population growth.

As Mayor it is a real privilege to work with my fellow councillors to look after the interests of Baw Baw shire residents and ratepayers.

I stood for the VLGA Board to improve representation from youth, women and rural communities. I believe that the VLGA has conducted ground-breaking work in helping connect communities and lobbying government on councillors issues. I look forward to strengthening these initiatives. As an organisation with limited resources, we need to drive innovative community involvement in our decision making.

Resource management is especially important during the current financial conditions and improving our record on sustainability. I believe my experience will assist the Board and my skills will complement those of other Board Members and staff. I will work to protect the role, independence and voice of Local Government and ensure the issues for rural councils are better reflected in Board decision making.

Phone: 0431 664 693

Email: ruth@ruthmcgowan.com