Gunnedah councillor Colleen Fuller returned from the 2017 Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) NSW Conference in Sydney where she was reelected on the state branch executive board.

She said members are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit more women into local government positions, particularly in country areas.

“There’s 14 [executive members] across the state but I’m the only one to represent this area from here to the Queensland border,” Mrs Fuller said.

“The closest one to me is Muswellbrook.

“Most are from Sydney.”

She said only four of the newly elected executive are based in rural areas of the state.

Mrs Fuller has been pleading for more local nominees to step forward but with little success.

“It’s a big area to cover but I’ll do my best,” she said.

During the conference, Mrs Fuller met with NSW Local Government chief executive Donna Rygate to discuss the challenges facing councillors in rural and regional areas.

The suggestion was made to host more upcoming training locally.

“It would be good if we could get that here,” she said. “We wouldn’t have to travel and could save the expense.”

This year’s state branch conference held at Penrith featured the theme “Your Adventure Starts Now” and included motivational guest speaker Robbi Mack.

Those who have matters they would like to raise with the ALGWA NSW branch can email: crfuller@gmail.com