By Casey Neill
A Greater Dandenong Council officer is among the Top 50 Public Sector Women in the state.
Engineering Services Director Julie Reid said she felt “very privileged” to be included in the inaugural list.
“I think, for me, it’s an opportunity to be recognised after many years of commitment to local government,” she said.
“I’m clocking up 30 years next year.
“Local government’s been good to me and I’ve worked really hard in my career to progress up the ladder.
“I’ve put a lot into it because I’m really committed to helping the community.”
Ms Reid is responsible for delivering Greater Dandenong’s $50 million capital works program, was the project leader for the Springvale City Hall’s $7 million refurbishment and is an active member of the council’s Preventing Family Violence and Gender Equity Committee.
She said that believing in herself and being confident had been the key to success in the sector.
“Women are very capable of being able to do these kind of roles,” she said.
“I think you’ve just got to believe in yourself.
“There’s still an unconscious bias in society.
“You’ve just got to try to break through that.
“Women who do put their hand up and go for opportunities are very often successful in what they want to do.”
Ms Reid has worked in local government in the United Kingdom as well as Australia.
Davidson Recruitment produced the Top 50 Public Sector Women (Victoria) list to recognise outstanding women in leadership roles.
Ms Reid was also one of only six women to receive a scholarship for Davidson’s Leadership Acceleration Program.
She said she was looking forward to connecting with other women on the list to share ideas and opportunities.
“And I can, maybe, have a profile to give back to some of the sector as well,” she said.
She’s already been contacted about speaking engagements and wants to promote what local government has to offer and women in senior roles.
“It’s an honour to be in a group of women who are very inspirational,” she said.
