In what is a pivotal local government election, it is disappointing and surprising that so far not one woman has come forward to stand for the top job (Gloria Holland put her hand up briefly but withdrew soon after).

One of the failings of the current council is the perception that it is a boys’ club, where decorum and reasoned debate and discussion have taken second place to grandstanding and shrill hectoring on the chamber floor, and where private meetings of a select few have steered the course.

Would our so-called civic leaders have seen fit to hurl insults and tomato sauce at each other had there been more women on council, not to mention one holding the reins of power and chairing meetings? Unlikely, indeed.

It would benefit all if the boof-headed behaviour we have witnessed through these past four years was replaced with rational discussion, manners and an intelligent and open approach to civic matters.

Sadly, at least one potential female candidate told this newspaper she had decided not to run because of the bullying behaviour she’d witnessed over this last term.

That’s a sad indictment and all of us in the Shoalhaven community are poorer for it.

We benefit from having two women at State and Federal level. Imagine if we had one at the local level as well.