WGEA PAY GAP UPDATE As of March 2026, the WGEA reports the average total remuneration gender pay gap for the private sector is 21.1%, while the Workplace Gender Equality Agency reports a median gender pay gap of 16.4%. The Workplace Gender Equality Agency public sector average pay gap is 6.4%. Despite slight improvements, men are still 1.8x more likely to be in the highest pay quartile, per Workplace Gender Equality Agency.
https://www.wgea.gov.au/pay-and-gender/gender-pay-gap-data
Gender equality advocate, local government leader and Churchill Fellow Coral Ross AM will be inducted into the Recalibrate Gender Equity Awards Hall of Fame, recognising her decades of leadership and advocacy for women’s representation and systemic change.
Coral Ross AM has spent much of her career working to ensure women have a stronger voice in leadership, government and public decision-making.
Her passion for gender equality began at an early age. When Coral was growing up, her parents could afford to send only one child to a private school. Her brother was given the opportunity because he was the boy.
That experience stayed with Coral and helped shape a lifelong commitment to challenging inequality and creating greater opportunities for women and girls.
One of Coral’s most significant areas of impact has been increasing the representation of women in local government.
In 2018, Coral was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to investigate how Australia could improve gender equality by increasing the number of women elected to local councils. At the time, women represented just 32.1% of councillors nationally. That figure has since passed 41%.
Coral is quick to acknowledge that this progress is the result of a collective effort, rather than the work of any one person.
“I am proud of striving for gender equality and moving the dial, even slightly,” Coral said.
“I am not solely responsible for the improvement in women’s representation, but I am proud to have been part of the concerted effort to create change.”
Coral was also an inaugural director of the Australian Gender Equality Council, an independent national peak body created in response to the slow pace of gender equality progress in Australia.
The Council brings together close to 30 frontline organisations representing women and girls in all their diversity, with a collective reach of approximately 500,000 people. Its work focuses on building a united voice for systemic reform and accelerating progress towards a gender equal Australia.
Coral’s leadership within local government has been equally significant.
She was elected Mayor of the City of Boroondara three times, earning the title of Mayor Emeritus. During her mayoral terms, she worked closely with community members and advocated on their behalf across a wide range of local issues.
Coral later became President of the Municipal Association of Victoria, the peak body representing Victoria’s local councils, a position sometimes described as being the “Mayor of all Victorian Mayors”.
Her contribution has received extensive national and state recognition. Coral has been named one of the 100 Women of Influence by Westpac and Fairfax, inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women and appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.
Despite these achievements, Coral views the honours with characteristic humility.
She believes the awards may carry her name, but they reflect something much larger, the collective work of those striving to advance gender equality.
Lisa Sweeney, CEO of Business in Heels International and founder of the Recalibrate Gender Equity Awards, said Coral’s induction recognised both her individual leadership and her ability to strengthen the broader movement for change.
“Coral’s impact comes from her persistence, her willingness to lead and her belief that progress is created collectively,” Ms Sweeney said. “She has helped open the door for more women to participate in local government, influence public decisions and see themselves as leaders.
“Her career demonstrates that meaningful change does not always arrive through one dramatic moment. It is often created through years of advocacy, collaboration and refusing to accept that inequality is simply the way things are.”
The Recalibrate Gender Equity Awards Hall of Fame recognises individuals whose sustained leadership and contribution have helped advance gender equality in Australia.
The Gender Equity Awards have just closed
For more information, category details and entry information, visit https://genderequityawards.com/
About the Gender Equity Awards
The Gender Equity Awards, presented by Business in Heels, celebrate organisations and individuals across Australia who are delivering practical, measurable progress on gender equity. Now in its fifth year, the program highlights proven initiatives that improve representation, reduce pay gaps and create safe, inclusive workplaces for everyone.
About us:
About Business in Heels International.
The Gender Equity Awards honour individuals, organisations, and initiatives that are leading the charge toward more equitable and inclusive workplaces. Now in our third year, these awards shine a spotlight on best practices, celebrate meaningful progress, and inspire action to drive systemic change. By showcasing trailblazers and their impactful strategies, we aim to encourage others to follow their lead, fostering workplaces where diversity thrives and everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
The company has a vision to create an unlimited future for women. It is known for its work in providing mentoring support across Australia with Mentor Mornings and Leadership Summits to inspire women into senior roles in male-dominated industries and for Recalibrate - Gender Equity Awards for Australia. Today it connects over 200,000.
Contact details:
Lisa Sweeney
CEO Business in Heels
Mob 0409441816
