JACQUI Rudge admits there have been some "challenging" times during her first three years on Bathurst Regional Council but she thoroughly enjoys serving the community.
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And Cr Rudge says she would happily throw her support behind any woman - or man, for that matter - who wanted to put up their hand to contest the council elections scheduled for September next year.
Council will hold an information session on Tuesday night aimed at getting more women involved in local government.
The session will from 5.30pm-7.30pm in the council chambers and, due to COVID-19 restrictions, all participants must register to attend (phone 6333 6111).
Bathurst currently has just two female councillors out of nine and both of them - Cr Rudge and Cr Monica Morse - will be at the information session to share their experiences.
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Cr Rudge said being a councillor was not an easy job but was one she encouraged others to consider.
"I love the job. I really enjoy the work and enjoy engaging with the staff," she said.
"I'm sometimes disappointed with a few of the things that happen but I guess that's the way it goes."
Cr Rudge said anyone interested in running for council needed to be realistic about what they could achieve.
"My message to everyone, male and female, is don't go in there thinking you're going to change things instantly," she said.
"Come in with your eyes wide open and don't take any criticism to heart. You have to get used to reading things in the media you might not want to see and you have to get used to following what you think is the right thing, without getting sidetracked."
Cr Rudge said she believed more women on council would help change the dynamic inside the chamber.
"I think women come from a different perspective and approach things in a different way," she said.
"I think we need more communication between councillors."
Cr Morse, who will retire at next year's election after 12 years on council, said women interested in entering the ballot needed to start building a profile now.
"A lot of women say they don't have time but you can always make time for something you really want to do," she said.
"I'm not expecting a lot of people to come along [on Tuesday] and put their hand up to say they're running, but I'm hoping we can get a group of people ready to support each other.
"I want them to make them feel more comfortable and feel like they can go out now and start making a profile for themselves."
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