The City of Melville Council has welcomed Gail Bowman as the organisation’s new Chief Executive Officer – the first female to take on the role.
Ms Bowman steps into the job from her previous position at the Council as Director Community Development.
“I’m pleased to welcome Ms Bowman on her first day as Chief Executive Officer at the City of Melville, which marks an exciting new beginning and opportunity to reset, with our new look Council,” said Mayor, Katy Mair.
“While we have had female Mayors, and currently have a majority of women serving on Council, Ms Bowman is our first ever female CEO and that makes today a historic day.
“I look forward to working with Gail and her team to help deliver the services and facilities that are important and needed by our community.
“We hold great stewardship for our residents, ratepayers and local businesses and with Gail as CEO, I am confident that together we can achieve the City’s vision to achieve an inclusive, vibrant and sustainable future, through listening and understanding our community’s priorities.
“Gail and I take this opportunity to invite our community to help us shape tomorrow, today through Our Future Melville project.”
Together with Mayor Mair and Deputy Mayor, Glynis Barber, the Council says Ms Bowman will focus strongly on community-informed, Council-led decision making and is starting her tenure as CEO by inviting residents to help shape a bright future for the City by taking part in the major review of the Strategic Community Plan – Our Future Melville.
The Plan is the City’s most significant guiding document as it establishes the community’s aspirations and Council’s vision for the City over a 10 year period.
“I’m excited to lead the City of Melville organisation and staff to work collaboratively with the community and Council to achieve the Council’s vision and priorities and the community’s aspirations,” said Ms Bowman.
“My focus will be on community-informed, Council-led decision making as I’m passionate about Council-led strategic planning and alignment, engaging with and understanding our community’s priorities while also delivering good governance.
“I also want to ensure high performance in the delivery of excellent customer and community-centric services and facilities that meet the needs of our diverse Melville community in a sustainable way.
“I will bring an empathetic and authentic leadership style to the role as CEO and strive to embody our values of excellence, participation, integrity and caring.”
Ms Bowman’s appointment was unanimously endorsed at a Special Council Meeting on Wednesday, 20 August 2023.
