Shire of Katanning deputy president Liz Guidera awarded WALGA life membership

A local government marvel who stood as the first female president in a Great Southern shire has received deserved recognition, named a life member at the 2025 WA Local Government Association’s awards last month.

Shire of Katanning deputy president Liz Guidera was one of two local government leaders recognised with WALGA life membership at the association’s awards night on July 19.

The 24th annual event crowned 40 elected members and officers at the WA Museum Boola Bardip in Perth in recognition of their remarkable achievements and contributions.

Cr Guidera said the awards night was “fabulous”, and felt “humbled and honoured” to receive the award.

She quoted Woman in the Arena speech by Theodore Roosevelt in her address as a call to courage and reflection of her own journey.

“It is not the critic who counts — the credit belongs to the woman who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes up short again and again,” she quoted.

“At the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if she fails, at least fails while daring greatly.”

The esteemed councillor took a seat in 1994 and was the first woman elected as Shire of Katanning president in 2001-03, and again in 2015-23 before Kristy D’Aprile was the second female appointed.

Cr Guidera said that she was proud to be a leading and encouraging female figure.

“My biggest achievement was being the first woman to hold the role of shire president, and the second, but always knowing that I wouldn’t be the last and paving the way for young mums to represent their community,” she said.

“As a young mum I felt I had something to offer, a family perspective on services needed and provided to advance the interests of our community.

“I’ve always believed that at the heart of every councillor is one driving force — community.

“That’s why we do it, we are in the arena for our family, our friends and our community to make a difference.”

In her 31 years on the council, Cr Guidera has been a tireless advocate for education, health, law and order, early childhood development and culturally inclusive services.

She named Katanning’s Early Childhood Hub as a top community-driven project she has championed with plans to integrate an early learning centre, a family centre and child health offices into a single hub.

Cr Guidera has also become a mentor among community leaders through her lifetime devoted to service, advocacy and meaningful change.

Shire president Cr D’Aprile said she was an inspiration.

“She has been a fierce advocate for Katanning and the Great Southern, a voice for rural WA, and a mentor to many, myself included. Her recognition as a WALGA life member is so incredibly deserved,” Cr D’Aprile said.

“Congratulations Liz. Your legacy is already long and lasting and I know there’s still so much more to come.

“To those inspired by Liz’s journey and her incredible contribution to our community, let this be your call to action.”

Cr Guidera has been newly appointed as chair of Regional Development Australia Great Southern and said she “looks forward to working in the broader regional space on important projects for the future”.

Shire of Brookton president Katrina Crute was also named a WALGA life member.