A Latrobe councillor has stepped down after six and a half years in office, citing the increasing difficulty of juggling local government duties with work and family life.
Councillor Sommer Metske announced her resignation this week, describing the decision as “extremely difficult” given her strong passion for the community.
Her departure has reignited calls for council roles to be made more accessible to working parents.
Mayor Peter Freshney said Metske’s drive to make a difference had been “much valued and respected” throughout her time on council, which began in 2018.
“She has been a vibrant member of our team for six and a half years and in that time has been a key contributor, not only in our deliberations, but in helping shape a shared vision for our community,” Freshney said.
He thanked her for championing inclusive representation and sustainable development and for leading the Latrobe Tree Committee.
Metske said she first put her hand up for council because her demographic was “severely underrepresented” in government.
“A council can better represent its community if its members are representative of the community,” she said.
Reflecting on her time in office, she said what she’s most proud of is “speaking up, even when my voice would shake”.
“It takes courage to speak up when you might be the only person in the room who has a different view, but if you are brave enough to do so, you often find you are not alone,” she said.
Mayor Freshney acknowledged the broader message behind Metske’s resignation, saying her experience shows the challenges many working parents face when considering a role in public service.
“Our sector would be well served to find workable options that support and encourage participation from a broader community representation, particularly working parents with dependent children,” he said.
The Tasmanian Electoral Commission will hold a recount to fill the vacancy, with results expected in early June.
