I arrived in Australia 50 years ago as a non-English speaking 18-year-old from Chile. Since then I have co-owned a boat building business, worked as a draftswoman and completed an honours degree at UWA.
I have been the President of the WA Women's Advisory Council to the Premier, CEO of a State Government Agency and Senior Member of the Refugee Review Tribunal.
I have been on various advisory committees and have a long history of community advocacy and involvement with the arts.
At the local level I have been involved with many social and community activities.
I am the unpaid Executive Officer of AMR Clean Community Energy, am on the Shire's Arts and Culture Committee and have volunteered with Transition Margaret River and U3A.
I have a proven record of accountability, strong financial skills and life experience.
I have a great deal of experience in independent fact-based decision making and valuable governance experience having been a CEO and Board Member in organisations with parallels to those that exist between Shire and Council.
I understand the difference between decision makers and administrators.
I welcome the new CEO and believe I can work with her and other Councillors to meet our community's challenges. I came to idea of nominating for Council gradually.
I have been involved with a walking group, a gardening group, arts activities, Transition Margaret River, with the Scott River economic development group, landcare and farmers through the activities of Clean Community Energy which is spearheading a wind and biogas farm in Scott River.
This has made me aware of the diversity of opinion and emotion on issues that concern our community and the complexities that these present for Councillors.
I came to feel that given my fact based, decision-making skills I could make a constructive contribution.
I come with no axes to grind, am not a developer, I don't have a business... I am just a member of the community putting my hand up to put my experience to good use.
I want to ensure that the beauty and diversity of the environment that surrounds us and the richness of our community are available for years to come.
To hear more from Paula, visit www.facebook.com/Paula4AMR or call 0423 028 295.
