Northern Grampians Shire Council leaders are encouraging people considering standing for October council elections to attend the Victorian Local Governance Association’s candidate development program.

The council will host two online sessions delivered by the association as part of a pre-election candidate development program.

Sessions are free and will help prepare community members interested in standing as candidates.

Mayor Rob Haswell said people required no special qualifications to become a councillor other than enthusiasm and a desire to serve the community.

But he said a good understanding of the role could help prospective candidates to know if it was right for them.

“I encourage anyone thinking about standing for council to attend one or both of the sessions. It will help answer your questions and prepare for the upcoming election,” he said.

The first online session, Becoming a Councillor, is tomorrow from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Bookings are required and can be made at ow.ly/iCT250SvF7e.

The second session, Life as a Woman Councillor, will be on Thursday, July 25, also from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

The second session supports the State Government’s target of 50 per cent women in local government by 2025, which is also backed by Northern Grampians Shire Council.

People can register for the second session by visiting ow.ly/FygX50SvF7f.

People can also watch two videos on life as a councillor, from Dorothy Patton at youtu.be/b0ah-ltvHlA?si=u2u0FrwN9ObP0z5I, and Kevin Erwin at youtu.be/OkpziUGumR4?si=uOtl7wUJ9zQI6sQC.

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