Committee

Meet the ALGWA WA team

The Australian Local Government Women's Association WA (ALGWAWA) Executives are elected each year at the Annual General Meeting. 

Elizabeth Re

Position: President

Council: City of Stirling Councillor

Elizabeth has worked for over 30 years for state and local governments in sustainability, environmental and public health. She was given the honor of being made Fellow of Environmental Health Australia for her services in the field of environmental public health and promotion of women in the workforce. Elizabeth was the first woman appointed as Principal Health and Building Inspector in local government in Western Australia.

Her advocacy on behalf of women and diversity in the workplace was recognised in 2010 with an award for Australian Ambassador for Women for the Year of Women in local government. She is the founder of several local community organisations and believes community consultation and education are paramount to delivering good services and value for ratepayers and families.

Elizabeth has held many executive position on the ALGWA WA committee over many years, including President in 2012 and Vice President in 2013. She was awarded Life membership in 2023. Elizabeth has been elected onto the City of Stirling as a Councillor since 2005, and is the longest serving female Councillor in their 154 year history.

 “Encouraging women to the table is just the first step. Supporting and empowering women to be heard and valued at the table is the next vital step”

Michelle Sutherland

Position: Vice President (Metro)

Council: City of Bayswater Councillor

Councillor Michelle Sutherland , was raised in Karrinyup, attained a Bachelor Arts and a
Graduate Diploma in Education at Curtin University and has been a well-respected
Geography teacher , for over thirty years working in many schools both in regional areas and
in the metropolitan area of Western Australia.
Michelle’s passion for the community has seen her elected, many times, as a Councillor at
the City of Bayswater for over ten years and she sits on many boards such as EMRC and
has been an active volunteer on numerous organizations, including women and sporting
groups
Michelle loves to travel and has lived and worked overseas in a variety of roles and
countries. She has a passion for sport particularly tennis, soccer and basketball.

Marina Quain

Position: Secretary

Council: City of Bunbury Councillor

Marina Quain was born in 1968 in Gnowangerup, Western Australia, and raised on a farm with her four siblings. After completing her studies in Hospitality and Tourism, she built her early career in the industry before working in various roles across WA and overseas. Since settling in Bunbury, Marina has balanced family life with strong community involvement, particularly through local sports.

In 2012, she began volunteering in sport, later stepping into advocacy to secure better facilities for her community. Her efforts helped secure $12 million in funding for local sports infrastructure. Elected as a Bunbury City Councillor in 2021, Marina is passionate about local leadership and plans to seek re-election in October 2025.

“Today is a beautiful day, I’ve never seen this one before.”-Maya Angelou

Leonie de Haas

Position: General Committee

Council: Shire of Esperance Councillor

Leonie was born in Carnarvon, grew up in Esperance and has lived up and down the state since leaving home as a teenager. She has been back in Esperance for ten years.

Leonie is a small business owner, a JP, Esperance Chamber of Commerce and Industry President and a Shire Councillor. She joined ALGWA WA to help promote women in Local Government. She is passionate about her community having played many roles over the years.

Marion Palmer

Position: Events Co-ordinator

Council: Former Local Government Employee

Marion began her career at the City of Fremantle in community services. She has
extensive experience in social work, community development and academia,
Inclusive of both formal and volunteer experience on various Boards and
Committees. All helpful in achieving the aims of ALGWA. Experience in Quality
Assurance and developing implementing change and improvement according to
regulations, policies and processes has been ongoing. I am looking forward to being
involved for the benefits of members and prospective members.

Sara Saberi

Position: General Committee

Ms Sara Saberi has dedicated her career to public service, equity, and empowering diverse voices in Local Government, particularly women and migrants to step into public life and shape the future of our communities.

She has a Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Health, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management and a Diploma of Occupational Health & Safety and has worked, in the private sector and over eight years in Local Government in Western Australia, in the Environmental Health and sustainability areas.  She has held various positions as a volunteer with environmental organisations and has been an active member of the community through local Landcare groups and through her passion and commitment to improve the environment, she was elected as a Local Government Councillor, at the City of Canning, from 2017 to 2023.

Susan Pearce

Position: General Committee

Susan Pearce is passionate about the environment and ensuring a better future for her children and grandchildren and enjoys living in the rural countryside of Toodyay. She had a keen interest in assisting seniors stay in their homes longer and was instrumental in the establishment of the “staying in Place” program . She is a very active volunteer in the community and was elected to the Shire of Toodyay Council from 2019 to 2013, to improve the quality of services in the community