In the lead up to local government elections in September, Bishop of Wollongong Peter Hayward is keen to have a debate on the character of civic leaders.

Bishop Hayward has invited Peter Kell, former CEO of Anglicare Sydney and Prof Gerard Sutton, Vice Chancellor University of Wollongong to speak at the ‘Character in Wollongong Civic Life’ seminar, to be held on August 11.

As the city of Wollongong approaches the September elections, locals will no doubt remember the Independent Commission Against Corruption investigation that lead to the sacking of the previous council.

Bishop Hayward hopes to explore the characteristics that make a good civic leader.

“There was a time in previous generations where what was talked about in public life was the character issues of those who lead,” he told the Illawarra Mercury. “How do we assess integrity? How do we assess honesty? What is the rule between private and public life? What are the characteristics of humility that we should be assessing?”

Bishop Hayward believes that there are a number of characteristics that make a good civic leader, including compassion, trustworthiness and integrity.

Peter Kell, a former Wollongong lawyer will also speak at the seminar.

“A good leader should have a strong ethical position, an understanding of what it means to stay true to a particular cause or mission,” he said. “A sense of community service is also important, the ability to promote the interests of people in the community, particularly those who are unable to speak for themselves.”

The seminar will be held on Thursday 11th August at the City Beach Function Centre at 7:30pm.

Picture Credit: Wollongong Harbour by eliduke