Many local councils across Australia have stepped up their efforts to improve gender equality, and diversity and inclusion more generally, over the past decade.

With good reason: councils represent diverse local communities. 

It’s critical they provide services for people from different backgrounds to ensure they can participate in community life and access the services they need.  Through consultation with staff and communities, many councils have created action plans that progress gender equality, cultural diversity, reconciliation, LGBTIQA+ inclusion and accessibility.

In recent years we’ve had the opportunity to work with several councils, co-designing diversity and inclusion strategies, preparing gender impact assessments, as well as providing education on inclusive and respectful behaviours.

One of those councils is the City of Greater Bendigo, on Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Country, in north-central Victoria. The region’s population of more than 122,000 people is increasingly culturally, religiously and ethnically diverse.

The council was recently recognised for its work and commitment to social justice and gender equity at the LGPro Awards for Excellence. These awards celebrate outstanding work being undertaken and delivered by individuals and teams working in Victoria’s local government.

Diversity Partners has proudly supported this increased focus on diversity and inclusion by providing Inclusion in Action workshops to all council staff since 2018.

The workshops provide a foundational understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion and explore practical actions everyone can take to be an inclusive colleague during everyday moments – wherever they work across the council. These are the interactions that help team members feel valued and connected and contribute to high performing teams.

We take great pride in our six-year partnership with the City of Greater Bendigo and our collaborative work to drive meaningful progress in diversity and inclusion.