Town of Bassendean to Welcome New CEO

Published: Wednesday, 26 September 2018 at 1:11:28 PM

The Town of Bassendean will warmly welcome Ms Peta Mabbs to the role of Chief Executive Officer following unanimous support for her appointment at last night’s Council meeting.

“Council is delighted to announce Ms Mabbs appointment to the Chief Executive Officer role. Peta was selected from a large pool of applicants in what was a highly competitive recruitment process.  She is an experienced transformational leader and Chief Executive Officer with post graduate qualifications in Public Sector Management, Policy & Public Administration.  She is also an Executive Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand School of Government and has previously been honoured with the title of ‘Female Administrator of the Year’,” said Mayor Renée McLennan.

“We were specifically seeking a progressive CEO who would help build a positive, and outcome focused organisational culture and assist Council to achieve the community’s aspirations for our Town.  We are confident that Peta’s broad experience will help us to realise these ambitions, with her vision and values being very much aligned to that of Council and the community”, she said.  

Peta has had a 34-year career working within the State Government across agencies responsible for justice, policing, child protection, corruption and integrity, land information, housing and communities – all of which have critical links to the community.  

She has a strong corporate governance and integrity background, and is currently playing a key role in the independent inquiry into the City of Perth.

Ms Mabbs also has a very personal connection to the Town which attracted her to the role. “My love of the local community comes from a long connection with the area and fond childhood memories”, shared Ms Mabbs. “I spent the first 30 years of my life living in the Town of Bassendean in Ashfield, Success Hill and West Bassendean”.

“In my early years I attended the local Bassendean Kindergarten followed by Ashfield Primary School - where my mother taught for many years.  My mother worked for most of the remainder of her career at Eden Hill Primary and my father worked in the real estate industry for many years based in Bassendean before retiring”, she said.

“Growing up, I enjoyed being part of the local community through active participation in the Bassendean Girl Guides, Venturers, in addition to the local netball team, the Comets. I enjoyed numerous summers swimming, sailing and canoeing in the Swan River, near the old boatshed, which once stood near Pickering Park”.

“I am motivated by the opportunity to work in an environment where there is a real sense of community”, said Ms Mabbs.  “Growing up in Bassendean, I enjoyed a special and memorable childhood which I will always cherish.  Being appointed as the CEO of the Town of Bassendean is an honour and will enable me to work with a passionate and enthusiastic Council, committed staff and importantly, genuinely engage with the local community so together we can create a sustainable future that we may share with future generations”.

Earlier in the year, Mr Bob Jarvis, the current CEO for the Town of Bassendean, confirmed that he did not intend to pursue further employment with the Town beyond the expiry of his contract in January 2019.  Mr Jarvis has agreed to an earlier finalisation of his contract to accommodate an October start date for the incoming CEO under an amicable agreement with the Town.

“Mr Jarvis has served the Bassendean community for almost ten years.  Over this period the Town has seen significant positive change and we would like to acknowledge the contribution he has made during this time”, said Mayor Renée McLennan.

Peta will commence her employment with the Town on the 22nd of October.

- Photo taken by Riley Schotte

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