Chief Executive Officer of Perth’s City of Wanneroo, Kath White, recently took out the Shell Corporate and Government Award in the 2000 Telstra Western Australian Business Women’s Awards.
These awards recognise the importance of women as instigators, developers and managers of business and encourage, reward and celebrate their achievements.
Judging is based on achievements, communication skills, performance, leadership, motivational ability, personal development, managing and decision making, innovation and creativity and community involvement.
Of Western Australia’s 142 Councils, Kath is one of only three female CEOs in Local Government.
She was appointed CEO of the Shire of Wanneroo in November 1998 and was instrumental in taking it to City status in July last year.
Wanneroo covers an area of 687.5 square kilometres. It has a population of 75,000 and a workforce in excess of 400 people.
Appointed shortly before the former City of Wanneroo was split into two new Councils, Kath White was responsible for setting up the new organisation with half the original staff and 80 new recruits.
Kath has spent two years in Local Government. Previously she ran colleges in the TAFE sector.
“Local Government is an interesting change,” she said.
“It is different due to having elected representatives with their direct responsibility to electors.”
Now that the new Council structure is in place, she is looking forward to working on the bigger projects, such as the development of online business and information across the organisation.
Describing herself as a change agent, Kath White believes common sense plays a large part in being a successful leader, as well as a fair and consistent approach and being able to establish a good working team.
“My job is to create an environment in which my Council officers will excel in and perform at their best,” she said. As a State winner, Kath White is an entrant in the national awards.
