In the 30 years since Kingston Council was established, there had never been two women in the top two roles of Mayor and Deputy Mayor and only five female Mayors. I was determined to change that. In November of 2023, alongside a highly respected, exceptionally skilled lawyer, Tracey Davies, I led the first ever all female leadership team to the helm of Kingston Council.  

Creating pathways to the Mayoralty starts with visibility. Young women, girls, trans and non-binary people seeing that women from all walks of life can be in the top job. I made sure during my time to speak out on equity and to make sure our Junior Mayor program was highlighted.  

It is critically important that women pursue Mayoral roles because equitable decision making, fair policy direction and representative community outcomes are all driven from the top. The shifting landscape of female representation in politics is being driven by Pathways to Politics, helping create the ripple effect of women smashing through barriers and overcoming hurdles.  

The most meaningful outcome from my time as Mayor? Being able to demonstrate that leaders can be kind, inclusive and impactful. 

Pathways to Politics has equipped alums to step into Mayoral roles across councils in Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales and Northern Territory: 

• Jenna Davey-Burns, City of Kingston, Victoria: Mayor 2023-2024; Deputy Mayor 2021-2022; Council term 2020-2024.

• Cr Margot Davis, Glenn Innes Severn Council, NSW; Mayor 2024-present. 

• Cr Amy Eden, Cairns Regional Council, Queensland: Mayor 2024-present; Council term 2020-present; second ever female Mayor of Cairns. 

• Cr Asta Hill, Alice Springs Town Council, Northern Territory: Mayor 2025-present.
• Cr Jos Mitchell, Redland City Council, Queensland: Mayor 2024-present.
• Susanne Newton, Darebin City Council, Victoria: Council term 2016-2024; Mayor 2023-24; Deputy Mayor 2022-23; joint-first Pathways to Politics alum elected to public office. 

• Angelica Panopoulos, City of Merri-bek, Victoria: Council term 2020-24; Mayor 2022-23; youngest ever Mayor of Merri-bek City Council at age 23. 

• Tina Samardzija, City of Monash, Victoria: Council term 2020-2024; Deputy Mayor 2021-22; Mayor 2022-23. 
• Cr Debbie Taylor-Haynes, Bayside City Council, Victoria: Mayor 2025-present; Deputy Mayor 2024-2025.

• 58 Pathways to Politics alums have been elected as local councillors 
• 9 have been Mayors 
• 42 municipalities across Australia have been represented by Pathways to Politics alums 

“From the very first session, being truly inspired by outstanding women, to being elected Deputy Mayor and then Mayor, Pathways to Politics has been an enormous part of my life. Without it and the generosity of the Trawalla Foundation, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve historic moments like the first all-female leadership team for Kingston council. Pathways is forging a new future for women, and we are all part of that momentous change.” 

– Jenna Davey-Burns