Wollondilly CEO Ben Taylor has been named Champion of Change for metropolitan councils for the 2023 Ministers Awards for Women in Local Government. The award recognises a senior manager who has excelled in supporting and encouraging women’s participation in their Council.

The award was presented at Parliament House in Sydney today by the Hon. Ron Hoenig MP, Minister for Local Government and the Hon. Jodie Harrison MP, Minister for Women.

Mayor Matt Gould said, “I’d like to congratulate Ben Taylor for receiving this award in recognition of his authentic commitment to empowering women in local government, with his support extending to both elected officials and the broader staff community.”

“In times of adversity, including the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Ben's leadership has been a foundation of unwavering support for the entire staff cohort. The introduction of flexible working arrangements has found resonance with women who are balancing caregiving responsibilities in particular.”

“Ben's perspective goes beyond traditional gender expectations, as he advocates for every staff member's autonomy in shaping their desired career paths, and enthusiastically celebrates everyone’s achievements. Ben has fostered a culture of unity and motivation throughout all levels of the organisation.”

“Ben has been an unwavering advocate committed to advancing the interests of the local government sector, with an emphasis on promoting gender diversity, empowerment, and upskilling of female professionals,” he said.

Some recent events at Wollondilly Council include Ben Taylor’s championing of the #EmbraceEquity campaign on International Women's Day in 2023. This initiative aimed to motivate individuals, with a specific focus on women, to proactively break down gender-related biases in all aspects of life, particularly in the professional domain.

This year Wollondilly Council also secured a NSW Youth Opportunities grant for the "Engaging Young Women in Non-Traditional Trades" project, which aims to increase female participation in trade professions and provide young women with opportunities and support, bridging the gap in trades where their presence has been historically low.