Mid West Ports Authority Board of Directors
MWPA is governed by a Board comprising a Chair, Deputy Chair and four Directors, all appointed by the Minister.
The Board of a port authority is its governing body and is charged with performing the functions, determine the policies and control the affairs of the port authority.
In appointing Directors, the Minister is guided by relevant governance guidelines published, approved, endorsed or administered by the Minister for Public Sector Management. A member of staff is not eligible to be appointed as a Director. Each Director holds office for a period not exceeding 3 years and is eligible for reappointment. Directors are paid out of the funds of MWPA with remuneration as determined by the Minister.
Chair Noel Hart
| Occupation |
Company Director |
| Appointments |
Appointed Non-Executive Director, July 2019
Appointed Chair, February 2021
Re-appointed Non-Executive Director, July 2021
Re-appointed Chair, January 2024
End of current term, December 2026 |
Background/ Qualifications
- Master Mariner Class One
- MBA certificate (Quinlan Business School, Loyola University, Chicago)
- Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
- Former Commissioner, Australian Transport Safety Bureau
- Former Chair, Maritime Industry Australia Ltd
- Former General Manager, North West Shelf (LNG) Shipping Service Company
- Former executive positions over 24 years, BP Shipping in Melbourne, London and Chicago covering commercial, oil and LNG shipping operations, assurance, technical, emergency response
- Former Chair, Oil Companies International Marine Forum and Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators General Purposes Committees
- Former Director, Middle East Navigation Aids Service, Alaskan Tanker Company, Marine Preservation Society (USA), Australian Marine Oil Spill Response Centre
- Former Senior Deck Officer on crude oil and product tankers, container and ro-ro vessels, and bulk carriers
Deputy Chair Robert Willes
| Occupation |
Company Director and Consultant |
| Appointments |
Appointed Non-Executive Director, July 2020
Re-appointed Non-Executive Director, July 2022
Appointed Deputy Chair, July 2023
End of current term, June 2024 |
Background/ Qualifications
- Company Director and consultant
- Appointed Non-Executive Director July 2020
- Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors Course (GAICD)
- Non-Exec Director, Chair Audit & Risk Committee and member Remuneration & Nomination Committee - Buru Energy Ltd
- Director - Bundu Gas & Oil Exploration Pty Ltd
- Owner - RW Energy Pty Ltd
Prior roles include:
- Managing Director and member Audit & Risk and Remuneration & Nomination Committees - Challenger Exploration Ltd
- CEO - Eureka Energy Ltd
- Non-Exec Director - Perth Centre for Photography
- Non-Exec Director - Carbon Reduction Ventures Pty Ltd
- Director - Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association Ltd (APPEA)
- Alternate Director - North West Shelf Shipping Service Co. Pty Ltd
- Director - North West Shelf Liaison Co. Pty Ltd
- Director - North West Shelf Gas Pty Ltd
- Alternate Director - North West Shelf Australia LNG Pty Ltd
- Various international executive roles over 24 years with BP including leadership in complex transactions, mergers & acquisitions and joint ventures in oil & gas, LNG and power generation.
Director Peter Creek
| Occupation |
Chartered Accountant |
| Appointments |
Appointed Non-Executive Director, February 2020
Re-appointed Non-Executive Director (most recent), January 2022
End of current term, June 2024 |
Background/ Qualifications
- Chartered Accountant, formerly partner of Horizon Accountants.
- Chairman, Centacare Family Services Geraldton.
- Former Board Member, Spalding Park Golf Club.
- Former Board Member, St Francis Xavier School Board.
- Former Board Member, Geraldton Club.
- Former Board Member, Great Northern Football League.
- Former Board Member, Geraldton Hockey Association.
- Bachelor of Accounting, WA Institute of Technology (Curtin University of Technology).
Director Gail McGowan
| Occupation |
Public Servant |
| Appointments |
Appointed Non-Executive Director, July 2021
Re-appointed Non-Executive Director (most recent), January 2023
End of current term, June 2024 |
Background/ Qualifications
- Public Service Medal (PSM)
- Distinguished Alumnus, Murdoch University
- Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD)
- Member Chief Executive Women of Australia (CEW)
- Bachelor of Arts (Education/Communication)
- Post Graduate Diploma in Public Policy
- Deputy Chair, Leadership WA
- Chair, Murdoch University School of Business
- Member, Murdoch University Vice Chancellor’s External Advisory Committee
Prior roles include:
- Director General, Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage
- Director General, Department of Planning
- Deputy Director General, Department of State Development
- Infrastructure WA
- Western Australian Planning Commission
- Pastoral Lands Board
- Westport Steering Committee
Director Belinda Moharich
| Occupation |
Lawyer |
| Appointments |
Appointed Non-Executive Director, June 2023
End of current term, June 2025 |
Background / Qualifications
- Bachelor of Laws, University of Queensland
- Bachelor of Arts (Planning), University of Queensland
- Director, Moharich and More Planning + Environment Law
- Director, WA Return Recycle Renew Ltd
- Council Member, Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Council
- Member, Law Society of Western Australia
- Member, Law Society of Western Australia Environment, Town Planning and Local Government Committee
- Fellow, Planning Institute of Australia
Prior roles include:
- Deputy Chair, Western Australian Planning Commission
- Member, Western Australian Planning Commission's Executive, Finance and Property Committee
- Member, State Administrative Tribunal
- Senior Member and Principal Registrar, Town Planning Appeal Tribunal
Board Governance
The Board Charter
Audit, Risk and Governance Committee
Culture, People and Sustainability Committee