Demonstrating great resourcefullness and sheer determination, each have contributed significantly in their chosen professions, challenging the male mould, undeterred by the traditionalist view.

While most have steered away from being labelled protagonists of womens rights, just by being where they are all have made the path for women who will follow them that little bit easier.

Unwittingly, or so we are led to believe, Geoff Goodfellow has used this week’s Across the River column to show just how much the times have changed, even in the last 40 years.

In 1970, Geoff applied for a clerk job at Council that explicitly asked for male candidates. Keep in mind that the federal government had only just allowed Aborigines to vote, and Papua New Guinea was still under Australian control - yes, the times certainly were a changin’, even back then.

However, as Australia was among the first nations to allow women the vote (South Australia in 1894, federally in 1903), it is surely about time more was done to empower women to step-up. The new government initiative is a welcome start.

These women represented in our feature are only a small part of the local female talent pool and as Highlanders we can only hope this local government initiative is not just a PR spin - that it truly is the Year of Women in Local Government.

What do you think? Mail to PO Box 109 Bowral NSW 2576 or email editor.highlandnews@ruralpress.co m.