November 2nd, 2026Just sayin’…

By Donna Kelly It’s all a bit odd.

Hepburn Shire Council proudly takes part in the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence from November 25 to December 10.

The campaign encourages all Victorians to work together to prevent violence against women with more than one in three women experiencing men’s violence.

That is all good – not the stats – but taking part in the campaign. No woman should have to put up with violence from men, or anyone for that matter. Nor should a man.

But the council now wants to move the Heather Mutimer Honour Roll ceremony from International Women’s Day in March to the November campaign.

As a woman on the roll (many thanks to all involved in my nomination), I have no idea why. I don’t think the council knows why. They certainly did not ask former Hepburn Shire councillor Heather Mutimer, nor anyone I know on the roll.

According to the agenda of the October meeting of council, the council wants to create two separate events that focus on gender equality, respect, and women’s achievements, from next year.

They will be International Women’s Day in March and the Heather Mutimer Honour Roll and 16 Days of Activism in November and December.

The agenda said “a review has been conducted of council’s current approach to celebrating International Women’s Day including the allied Heather Mutimer Women’s Honour Roll that was established in 2005”.

“It is recommended to continue the Heather Mutimer Honour Roll. It will be reinvigorated by incorporating the recognition event into council’s annual 16 Days of Activism program in November-December 2027. This alignment will strengthen the important connection between the Honour Roll and the broader themes of gender equality, respect and women’s achievements.

“This change will also enable council to update and establish a dedicated, community-focused International Women’s Day event from March 2027. Providing separate, bespoke forums for these initiatives will ensure each can be appropriately recognised and celebrated, while creating greater opportunities to engage the community in conversations about women’s contributions, gender equality and related issues.

“Having two distinct events, rather than a combined one, enables greater focus on each and creates two significant events each year that focus on gender equality, respect, and women’s achievements.”

WTAF? Then it becomes a bit clearer, sort of. “For over 20 years, council has marked International Women’s Day through the Heather Mutimer Women’s Honour Roll event. The Honour Roll recognises individual women who have made significant contributions to the Hepburn Shire community.

“Under the existing Terms of Reference, the Honour Roll relies on an operational Advisory Committee to oversee and endorse key stages of the induction process. However, as part of council’s ongoing broader review of advisory committees, the Advisory Committee is no longer operational.

“Consequently, the Honour Roll nomination process has been placed on hold and the current Terms of Reference are no longer appropriate.”

So the Advisory Committee is no longer happening. And the nomination process has been halted. What does that mean? No more names for the Honour Roll?

And what does that mean for those women on the Honour Roll? Surely it diminishes their inclusion on the roll?

And what does working for the contribution of women to society have to do with 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence? It’s a great cause but I know my work in journalism and promoting women’s stories and voices had nothing to do with that.

Hepburn Shire Council seems to be always a little bit up against it, but this is another case of no consultation, just decision making.

Thanks to people like Heather Mutimer, who spoke up at the last council meeting, but was very much told to stick to her three minutes, the council voted to have a bit more of a think about things and come back to the idea at the December meeting.

But that leaves very little time for a March Honour Roll nomination for worthy women – and there are many.

I am sure the council does its best, and a quick chat with interim CEO Janet Dore and her views was quite refreshing, but the council continues to lack genuine consultation with its ratepayers.

It really is time to do better, talk to people, and then make informed decisions. After all, it is our money and our council. Just sayin’…