Preparing to step back from decades of ground-breaking service in local government, ALGWA Tasmania President, Dr Mary Duniam, has regretfully tendered her resignation.
Our heartfelt thank you Mary, for your commitment to ALGWA Tasmania across almost four decades – well beyond your time as an elected member – a remarkable contribution to public life and advocacy for women in local government.
Thank you for your wisdom, leadership and the support shared through your service as President of ALGWA Tasmania, as a state delegate to ALGWA’s national board and as an ALGWA and Women for Election master mentor to upcoming women candidates.
Thank you for the initiatives that have strengthened ALGWA Tasmania, especially the ALGWA Tasmania Charter which now underpins our ongoing role as a politically neutral peer network and dedicated advocate for women’s participation in local government in Tasmania.
ALGWA Tas vice president and ALGWA board delegate, Councillor Melinda Reed, is now acting president.
Dr Mary Duniam was first elected to Waratah-Wynyard Council in 2005, elected Deputy Mayor in 2014, then in 2022 became the first woman to serve as Waratah-Wynyard Mayor. Mary had followed in the trailblazing footsteps of her mother Iris Graham, who in 1953 was the first woman elected to Burnie Council.
Mary is a long serving community advocate, women’s advocate, local government advocate, educator, social business consultant, mentor, board member, researcher, community volunteer and past Assistant Governor of Rotary Tasmania.
In 2023 Mary was inducted onto the Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women for services to the community, advocacy, inclusion and government. In 2025 Mary was awarded a Life Membership of the Local Government Association of Tasmania for her leadership and long service in many representative local government roles, within and beyond Tasmania.
When sharing the news with members, Mary wrote:
“…I wish to sincerely thank our Executive Team for their support, commitment and the amazing work they have undertaken during my time as President. In particular, I would like to acknowledge Melinda, our Vice President; Rachel, our current Secretary; Paula, our former Secretary; and Annette and Cheryl, who have each served as Treasurer during my time in the Chair. I am incredibly grateful for the contribution each of you has made and for the support you have provided to me and to the organisation.
I remain a strong believer in the purpose and importance of ALGWA Tasmania. I believe that, with greater member engagement and participation, ALGWA Tasmania can become an even stronger organisation — one that not only supports women working in local government, but also demonstrates the value of women’s leadership, encourages greater participation and provides a genuine collective voice for women across Tasmanian local government.
It has been a privilege to serve as President, and I am proud of what we have achieved during my time in the role. I sincerely hope that ALGWA Tasmania continues to grow, strengthen its membership and build on the important work it undertakes in supporting and advocating for women in local government.
I thank all ALGWA Tasmania members and ALGWA National for their support and guidance throughout my time as President of ALGWA Tasmania. I also sincerely wish the Executive Team and all members of ALGWA Tasmania every success for the future and thank you again for the opportunity to serve as President.”