Two inspiring women at Blacktown City Council have been honoured at NSW Parliament House for their achievements and contributions helping others reach their potential.
Director of City Living Vanessa Parkes and Senior Coordinator Environmental Health Jessica Speechly were recipients at the Ministers' Awards for Women in Local Government last week.
Vanessa received the 'Champion of Change Award – Metro' for improving women's participation at Council.
Jessica received the 'Alternative Pathways Award – Metro' for breaking gender stereotypes.
Mayor Brad Bunting said the two had helped shape Council's culture of empowering women.
"Vanessa and Jessica are great examples of what women can achieve when given the opportunity. We are so lucky to have them," he said.
"Council is an inclusive employer and having role models like Vanessa and Jessica helps us encourage women to pursue opportunities they may once have thought were unavailable to them."
Vanessa has provided mentoring programs, promoted inclusive recruitment and shared the story of her career from joining Council as a trainee.
Her leadership has resulted in greater women's representation across the organisation, including in operational roles which had been dominated by men.
Jessica is the first woman to hold her position at Council in an industry that is historically male dominated and focused on enforcement.
She has demonstrated outstanding leadership and lead the environmental health team to be Australia's Team of the Year 2025 and NSW Sustainable Cities Overall Winner 2024.
In 2026, Blacktown City will host the Australian Local Government Women's Association NSW Conference at The Colebee, Nurragingy Reserve.
This will bring women from across the state together to share their achievements and challenges in better serving their communities.
