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”

Darlene Allston

Position: Immediate Past-President

Council: Shire of Exmouth Councillor

Darlene, is a Councillor in the Shire of Exmouth and the former Shire President.

Darlene has a wealth of Local Government knowledge to share with country and metro members and is currently completing the WALGA Diploma of Local Government.

As an Elected Member, resident and small business owner in the regions, Darlene values and grasp the hard-work and dedication it takes to run a small business and understands the daily challenges of living and working in a remote area, all whilst representing the local community.

With a strong corporate background, focused in food journalism, Darlene offers valuable skills to be an asset to the community. Driven by the belief to nurture our environment, our businesses and maintaining a valuable tourist industry to employ our local families now and into the future being the key to longevity of the town.

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.

Naomi Purcell

Position: Vice President (Regional)

Council: Shire of Waroona Councillor

I love living in Waroona and have done so, with my husband and two children, for the past 16 years. I continue to be involved in our wonderful community and am currently President of the Waroona Amateur Swimming Club and also the Just Cruizin Car Club which holds the annual All Australian Car Day in Waroona.
I have a passion for community and enjoy actively contributing to it so that Waroona Shire can continue to grow stronger as a place for people to live, work and visit. To encourage tourism growth throughout the Shire would continue to be a focus of mine as more West Australians are experiencing what is good in our beautiful state. I am excited about the current town centre initiatives and also want to help work towards purposeful and positive opportunities for our youth.

Lorna Buchan

Position: Treasurer

Council: City of Rockingham Deputy Mayor

Lorna is a Chartered Accountant, Forensic Auditor and Certified Fraud Examiner.  She is passionate about supporting women in local government.  She lives in Secret Harbour with her husband, four children and two dogs.  Her involvement with the Association began soon after her election in 2019 when she realised that there were certain aspects of Local Government that were not conducive to women's participation, safety, health and well being - so she set out to make change!

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

Jennifer Nevard

Position: Committee Member

Council: City of South Perth Councillor

This is my fourth year as a Councillor. As an ALGWA WA committee representative I will work towards encouraging women to stand for political roles, call out system processes that preclude level playing fields in selection processes, support aspiring candidates to political roles and maintain a non-party politics approach in my efforts. I am a Councillor, City of South Perth and I am one of the City of South Perth Council’s representatives to the S.E. Metropolitan Zone WALGA working group. I also serve on the City’s Public Health consultation group.

I am a retired senior public sector worker and small business owner/operator; wife, and a mother and grandmother. Previously I was a full-time working mum for more than thirty-five years, completing all university studies in conjunction with full time work. I have an enduring interest in women’s issues, having been an active member of women’s groups and facilitated development of curriculum relating to justice and skills training for people with limited access to resources. I have a working background in community consultation and measurement, Quality control, policy development, corporate governance and strategic planning and matters relating to education and learning.

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: General Committee - 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.