09/09/2026
Congratulations Sandice. We are very pleased to have you as an ongoing Board member.
This week, Cr. Sandice Mcaulay was recognised as a nominee for the Mary Rogers award for women who demonstrate an outstanding contribution as a civic leader in Victoria.
Cr Sandice McAulay has provided outstanding service to the Murrindindi Shire community over almost a decade, demonstrating exceptional leadership, dedication and commitment to community wellbeing.
First elected to Council in 2016, Cr McAulay quickly established herself as a strong advocate for local communities. She served as Deputy Mayor in 2017–18 and as Mayor in both 2018–19 and 2020–21, guiding Council through periods of significant challenge and change, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Throughout her tenure, Cr McAulay has championed community engagement, strategic planning and inclusive decision-making. She has also been a passionate advocate for economic development, community infrastructure, sport participation, heritage preservation and community recognition. Her service on numerous committees and her unwavering focus on strengthening local communities have left a lasting and positive legacy across Murrindindi Shire.
More recently, Cr McAulay has supported the community recovery following the 2026 Longwood fire which deeply impacted the Murrindindi Shire community.
Cr McAulay exemplifies the spirit of the Mary Rogers Award through her sustained leadership, service and commitment to community.
Cr Sandice McAulay has been a driving force behind several significant initiatives that have delivered tangible benefits for the Murrindindi community. As Mayor and Councillor, she played a key leadership role in the development and adoption of the Council Plan 2021–2025, the accompanying Priority Action Plans and the 10-Year Financial Plan. These strategic documents established a clear roadmap for council investment, community services, infrastructure delivery and financial sustainability, ensuring that local priorities were translated into practical actions and measurable outcomes.
A strong advocate for community-led decision making, Cr McAulay was a key supporter of the Shaping Murrindindi project - a key project to support an economic transition for our community following the cessation of native timber logging in Victorian state forests. Through workshops, interviews and community conversations, the project engaged hundreds of residents from across the Shire to identify their hopes, priorities and aspirations for the future. This work helped ensure that Council’s long-term planning reflected the voices of the people it serves.
Beyond strategic planning, Cr McAulay championed community engagement on the Economic Development Strategy, supported Fair Access in Sport initiatives to improve participation opportunities for women and girls, and advocated for the preservation of important community assets, including the Toolangi heritage building. Her leadership has consistently focused on creating inclusive, sustainable and community-driven outcomes that strengthen Murrindindi Shire for future generations.
The future impacts of Cr McAulay's stewardship of economic transition during these challenging times will support Murrindindi Shire to thrive.
Of particular note, in 2026 is the physical, emotional, and psychological recovery that will progress over the coming years thanks to Cr. McAulay's authentic and attentive community leadership.
I thoroughly commend Cr. McAulay for this recognition, not only for her achievements, but for the effective role she will play as a Mary Rogers Award ambassador over the coming year.
Sandice has long been a committed CFA volunteer and emergency management champion (member of the Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee for several years)
Cr McAulay has been a valued mentor to other women in local government, including young and new Councillors.
Congratulations Sandice on this wonderful recognition, and congratulations to Cr Melina Sehr, Cr Rayane Hawli, Brimbank City Council, and Mildura Rural City Council, for your respective honours.
