International Women’s Day: Celebrating the Women of Yass Valley

International Women's Day: Celebrating the Women of Yass Valley

Published on 06 March 2026

This International Women's Day, Yass Valley Council proudly recognises and celebrates the many talented and dedicated women who help shape local government and the wider Yass Valley community.

Women play an important role across Council's workforce bringing a wide range of unique skills, experience and perspectives and play a key part in shaping the way Council delivers local services to the community.

Pictured - Yass Valley emerging leaders compete in a Local Government challenge competition.

Council is also seeing women increasingly step into roles that have traditionally been male-dominated, including positions such as Roads Maintenance, Resource Recovery & Waste Services and Geographic Information.

The organisation is also proud of the strong female leadership guiding Council, with Mayor Jasmin Jones, Deputy Mayor Kristin Butler, Councillor Fleur Flanery, CEO Gayleen Burley and Director Corporate & Community Peta Gardiner helping steer the organisation through the current transformational period of cultural change and growth.

Council has strengthened its commitment to fostering a workplace where all our staff feel safe, respected and supported. Through workplace safety protocols and Respect at Work training, Council is building a culture where all employees feel confident to contribute ideas, take on new challenges and grow professionally. Leadership development, mentoring and career opportunities ensure women are not only given a seat at the table, but are supported when they speak.

Council also recognises that career progression should not come at the expense of family life. Yass Valley Council offers some of the best supportive and flexible working conditions for all our staff - including working from home options, part-time arrangements, nine-day fortnights and time-in-lieu.

Pictured L-R: Mayor Jasmin Jones, Deputy Mayor Kristin Butler, CEO Gayleen Burley

Speaking at the Yass Valley Business Chamber International Women's Day Breakfast on Friday 6 March, Mayor Jasmin Jones highlighted the important role Council plays in supporting women in the workforce.

'With so many talented and dedicated women supporting the workforce in the Yass Valley, it's exciting to watch how our female role models are providing a clear roadmap and mentoring for others to follow. When a woman succeeds, we make sure her success is seen and celebrated to normalise female excellence at all levels.'

Pictured L-R: Mayor Jasmin Jones; Christina Cawkill, Telstra; Margot Shannon, Merchant Campbell; Marina Maguire, Yass Valley Community Ambassador 2026

'This is important in roles that are still traditionally male dominated. For the past 14 years we are yet to move up from three elected women on Council - so I encourage everyone to consider if a woman they know could be encouraged to share her talents to run for local government.'

'Creating safe women and family-friendly spaces and culture has been a passion and a strategic goal I will continue to champion. Our Crago Mill Precinct will have exclusive breastfeeding-friendly and parent-baby-caring designed safe space. This was something I ensured was in the original design work due my own experiences as a breastfeeding mother facing the challenge of represent families on Council with no suitable spaces around me. I can't wait to see our mothers and families utilise these new spaces.' Mayor Jones said.

Mayor Jones also spoke about the important role local business community play in supporting women in the workforce, saying: 'Working with our business community, initiatives such as local mentoring networks, accredited small business training, tailored advisory services and pathways into commercial opportunities can help women across the region grow and succeed.'

'It is equally important that we support local events that celebrate and connect women - such as the YVBC IWD Breakfast event - creating opportunities for learning and encouragement'.

This International Women's Day, Yass Valley Council thanks the remarkable women within our organisation and across the whole Yass Valley community who continue to contribute, inspire and support others.

Your contribution strengthens not only our workplace, but the entire Yass Valley community.

• Media Releases