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Councillors

Elected Members

Profile provided by individual Elected Members

Shire of Northam Elected Councillors

Cr C R (Chris) Antonio 
President

Ward: East
Term: 2023

Contact Details:
PO Box 373
NORTHAM WA 6401
Mobile: 0429 220 210
Email: president@northam.wa.gov.au

 

Background: I grew up on our family farm at Southern Brook, and have always been involved in this business, and am currently working in partnership with my brother.

Areas of Interest in Council: I am keen to see the Shire of Northam continue on its journey of growth and development. There are also many talented people and businesses within all parts of the Shire, and, where possible, I will always assist them in achieving their goals. This has been the most rewarding part of both my work and community involvement.

Professions/Occupations: I have a background in Agribusiness Finance, Risk Management and Farm Business Succession / Transition Planning. More recently, I lectured at Muresk Campus for the Charles Sturt University Bachelor of Agribusiness Management Degree and am continuing to work directly with Charles Sturt University. I also undertake Sessional Lecturing in Agribusiness Business Planning at Curtin University.

Committee Membership: Audit & Risk Management Committee, Chief Executive Officer Review Committee, Community Grants Assessment Committee, Local Emergency Management Committee and Nyoongar Cultural Advisory Group (proxy), along with regional committees representing the Shire of Northam.

Community Service/Memberships: I have been involved in a number of community organisations in the past, most recently with the Southern Brook Volunteer Fire Brigade and the Northam Hockey Association and serve on community boards including Directions and Avon Community Development Foundation, and the Avon Industrial Park. I remain as Patron for the Northam Motorsport Festival and co-patron for the Northam Men’s Shed.

Previous Council Service: After serving the community for six years as a Councillor, and the past four years as President, I remain passionate about seeing the Northam Shire and the greater region grow. I look forward to continuing to work with the community and to promote and highlight all that we achieve together on our journey forward.

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Cr M P (Michael) Ryan

Deputy President

Ward: Town

Term: 2025

 

Contact Details:

61 Chidlow Street

NORTHAM   WA   6401

Mobile: 0429 960 594

Email: crryan@northam.wa.gov.au 

 

Background: My family and I moved to Northam in July 2004 and purchased our home in Northam in 2005. I was a Police Officer for nearly twenty years with the majority of my policing career being spent in the Wheatbelt Region. I left the WA Police in 2014 to pursue a career in the legal profession, serving two and half years in the Parliament of Western Australia as an Advisory Officer for the Legislative Council. I commenced my small legal practice in Northam in 2016 and I am community focused.

Areas of Interest in Council: Commerce, water and technology are my areas of interest as I would like to see the Shire of Northam grow in these areas - water management in particular has been a historical issue for us, so it would be great for the Shire to develop some long-term solutions for this issue.

Professions/Occupations: Barrister/solicitor and a Principal of a firm in Northam.

Committee Membership: Audit & Risk Management Committee, Chief Executive Officer Review Committee, Local Emergency Management Committee (proxy) and Nyoongar Cultural Advisory Group.

Community Service/Membership: Member of the Chamber of Commerce and the RSL. 

Previous Council Service: Previously served as a Councillor for the Shire of Merredin.

Cr J E G Williams

Ward: Central
Term: 2023

Contact Details:

225 Carlin Road (PO Box 66)

BAKERS HILL WA 6562

Phone: (08) 9574 1180

Mobile: 0419 194 161
Email: crwilliams@northam.wa.gov.au

 

Background: Born in Singapore, moved to Australia at age 2, lived in Vic, NSW, NT and metro Perth before moving to Bakers Hill in 1995. Married with 7 children and 5 (so far) grandchildren.

Areas of Interest in Council: Improving communication/consultation between Shire and community; ensuring any developments benefit our residents and do not adversely affect the Shire environmentally, aesthetically or economically; advocating for equitable access to facilities and services across the Shire.

Professions/Occupations: Part-time bookkeeper for husband’s (Wundowie based) small business.  

Committee Membership: Chief Executive Officer Review Committee, Community Safety Committee (Chair), Wheatbelt Joint Development Assessment Panel.

Community Service/Memberships: Northam Senior High School Board, Bakers Hill Progress and Recreation Association, Clackline Progress Association, Spencers Brook Progress Association and Bakers Hill Primary School Council. Previously on school/community boards and P&C Associations.

Previous Council Service: Elected to council in 2011, Deputy President from 2019 to 2021.

Cr D A (Des) Hughes
Ward: Town
Term: 2025

Contact Details:
297 Duke Street
NORTHAM WA 6401

Phone: (08) 9622 2562

Email: crhughes@northam.wa.gov.au 

 

Background: Born in Northam and raised on a farm at Wongamine. Lived in Toodyay for seven years, where I was employed by Industrial  Extracts; employed here firstly as a Leading Hand operator and on qualifying for my First Class Engine Drivers Cert. Shift Boss. In 1972, I move to Pinjarra, where I worked for Alcoa in the Power House control room. In late 1975 I moved back to Northam after gaining a position with Weston Milling where I worked for eight years as Head Miller and twenty four years as Mill Manager.

Areas of Interest in Council: I’m very keen to see Northam and the Shire as a whole, to keep on developing, with new businesses coming into our community along with the associated employment. But I’m adamant that this development is not to be at the expense of our heritage buildings. I’m also very keen on getting value for money.

Professions/Occupations: First Class Steam and Diesel Engine Drivers Cert. (stationary), Flour Mill Operative and Mill Manager Cert. (City and Guilds of London).

Committee Membership: Chief Executive Officer Review Committee and Community Grants Assessment Committee.

Community Service/Memberships: Member of the West Northam Primary School Board, Northam Residential College Linc Committee, Northam Ag. Society and Avon Valley Arts Society.

Previous Council Service: Two years Town of Northam and eight years Shire of Northam.

Cr L C (Lisa) Biglin
Ward: West
Term: 2025

Contact Details:

PO Box 476 Wundowie WA 6560

Phone: 0477 402 654

Email: crbiglin@northam.wa.gov.au 

 

Background: I grew up in Hyden and went to a private boarding school in Perth. I worked for what was then United Construction now UGL for 23 years in various roles. During my time at UGL I also spent 6 years as employers’ representative on the WA Workcover Board. The last 10 years was as Group Manager Health Services. Leaving UGL my husband and I purchased the IGA in Wundowie and have owned it for 10 years. We have an adult son.

Areas of Interest in Council: I’m keen to support the Northam Shire implement its commitment to the communities and in line with the Northam Shire Plan and the Wundowie/Bakers Hill requirements within this plan to ensure that these are at the forefront of the council agenda. I will advocate for better facilities within the community and work closely with the law enforcement to assist in implementing crime preventative initiatives and provide close engagement with the businesses, sporting bodies and associations to ensure the town and the whole community is well represented on the Shire with their concerns and not any vested interest.

Professions/Occupations: Graduate Certificate in Workers Compensation – Curtin University.

Committee Membership: Community Grants Assessment Committee.

Community Service/Memberships: Wundowie Progress Association - Secretary.

Previous Council Service: None.

Cr R W (Rob) Tinetti
Ward: Town
Term: 2023

Contact Details:
31 Garrigan Close
NORTHAM WA 6401
Phone: (08) 9622 1828 (H)
Phone: (08) 9622 1411 (B)
Fax: (08) 9622 3628
Mobile: 0407 428 574
Email: crtinetti@northam.wa.gov.au

 

Background: Lived in Northam 37 years, married with 3 adult daughters and 7 grandchildren.

Areas of interest in Council: Promoting development and response to ratepayer concerns.

Professions/Occupations: Have a family owned funeral business and is a qualified mortuary embalmer.

Committee Membership: Community Grants Assessment Committee and Community Safety Committee.

Community Service/Memberships: Member Northam Chamber of Commerce, Nationals WA,Australian Funeral Directors Association, Australian Institute of Embalmers, major fundraiser for Cancer Council WA. On the board of the Avon Community Development Foundation.

Previous Council Service: Elected to the Town of Northam 2003 then the new Shire of Northam in 2007 to current election.

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Cr M I (Maria) Girak
Ward: Town
Term: 2023

Contact Details:
16 Gordon Street
NORTHAM WA 6401
Mobile: 0400 245 681
Email: crgirak@northam.wa.gov.au

 

Background: Grew up in socialist Hungary, migrated to Australia and settled in Northam 30 years ago. I raised my children and managed several family businesses in Northam for 14 years prior to gaining employment at TAFE.

Areas of Interest in Council: I am keen to work on projects to attract investments, promote small business development, and tourism resulting in jobs. I would like to contribute to improving public and road safety, seniors, youth and childcare services and facilities and promoting community wellbeing. I am passionate about the Shire's environment, heritage, culture, and the arts.

Professions/Occupations: My qualifications include a Master of Professional Education and Training, Diploma in Management, Business and IT Digital Media. Since 2003 I have been working at Central Regional TAFE in Northam as an IT and business lecturer, also as Acting Business Development Manager and Principal Lecturer and currently as Head of Programs of the Trades, Agriculture and Foundation Skills Portfolio.

Committee Membership: Bush Fire Advisory Committee.

Community Service / Memberships: Member of the Avon Valley Art Society.

Previous Council Service: None.

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Cr H (Hayden) Appleton

Ward: Town

Term: 2025

 

Contact Details:

11 East Street

NORTHAM   WA   6401

Email: crappleton@northam.wa.gov.au 

Mobile: 0448 870 770

 

Background: I was born in Kalamunda but lived in Southern cross until the age of 12. I then lived in a number of other rural towns until I settled in Northam at the age of 16. I now consider Northam home and have gotten married had three children and bought a house here in town.

Areas of interest in Council: I believe that I have an opportunity to make informed decisions on behalf of the community. By being involved in the Council gives me direct access to the decisions that shape our community, not just now but in the future. Having lived in Northam since 2003 I feel a real connection with the people in this town and intend to represent them to the best of my abilities.

Professions/Occupations: I have worked in the retail industry whilst in Northam and now manage a large retail store in town, that serves the entire wheatbelt with customers as far away as Kalgoorlie and Esperance. I have a Certificate 3 in retail management as well as a Certificate 2 in Information Technology.

Committee Membership:  Audit & Risk Management Committee.

Previous Council Service: None.

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Cr A J (Attila) Mencshelyi 

Ward: Central

Term: 2025

 

Contact Details:

PO Box 488

BAKERS HILL WA 6562

Mobile: 0407 773 977

Email: crmencshelyi@northam.wa.gov.au

 

Background: I was born in Merredin. I worked in the Goldfields for 16 years before moving to Northam in 2006, and have lived in Bakers Hill for 2.5 years. I am married and have 4 children and 10 grandchildren. 

Areas of Interest in Council: I am interested in economic growth and continued development within the Shire - I believe being within the peri-urban arc of Perth makes the Shire a desirable location with a tree-change lifestyle. I endeavour to work for and to ensure the care, safety and welfare of all community members, good governance of the Shire, and provision of excellent facilities in all Shire towns.

Professions/Occupations: I have been the Regional Manager with the Department of Communities (Housing) for 46 years, interspersed with executive roles in land and housing development, maintenance, and service delivery in our housing corporate team.

Committee Membership:  Audit & Risk Management Committee, Chief Executive Officer Review Committee, Community Grants Assessment Committee, Community Safety Committee and Nyoongar Cultural Advisory Group.

Community Service/Memberships: Board member of Avon Community Services, Wheatbelt Community Legal Centre and Share and Care (Vice President), formerly on the board of the Wheatbelt Independent Family Support Association. I am currently the chair of the Wheatbelt District Leadership Group.

Previous Council Service: Have previously served as a City of Kalgoorlie/Boulder councillor for 5 years. Currently in my third year as councillor for the Central Ward, and cognisant of responsibility for representing the whole of the Northam Shire Community.

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Cr D (Dave) Galloway
Ward: West
Term: 2023

Contact Details:
PO Box 474
WUNDOWIE WA 6560
Mobile: 0419 989 009
Email: crgalloway@northam.wa.gov.au

 

Background: Lived in Wundowie for 5 years, married with 2 adult children and 4 grandchildren.

Area of Interest in Council: Advocate for health and aged care facilities, work closely with local law enforcement to assist with crime prevention initiatives, provide close engagement with businesses, sporting bodies and associations for our communities viability and growth for our Shire.

Professions/Occupation: Local electrical contractor covering all aspects of electrical.

Committee Membership: Community Grants Assessment Committee, Bush Fire Advisory Committee.

Community Service / Membership: Currently President of Wundowie Progress Association.

Previous Council Service: None.

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