In October 1952, the first Conference of the Association was held in the Sydney Town Hall, with Cr Weeks in attendance. The NSW Branch appears to have been established at that time; the Victorian Branch had been established in September and was to last only until 1956. It was subsequently re-established in 1963. It would appear the federal body was not to meet again until October 1966, when the first National Convention was held in Canberra. A National Board was elected and a constitution drawn up.

Click here to download the 1966 National Conference Attendees

A biennial conference has been held every year since 1966. The National Framework for Women in Local Government was produced following extensive consultation with Women in Local Government in November 2001 to ascertain the issues affecting women's participation in Local Government in Australia. In 2006, the ALGWA National Executive undertook a review of the National Framework through focus groups, national roundtable discussions, forums and an on-line survey. In May 2007, the review of The National Framework for Women in Local Government - The Way Forward was launched in Canberra and through ALGWA State and Territory Branches. Copies of The Way Forward were distributed to all Councils and Local Government Associations throughout June 2007.

Funding was received from the Federal Government to establish a 50:50 vision. This funding ceased in 2012.