Barry Winmar becomes City of Kwinana’s first Indigenous councillor

Barry Winmar is the City of Kwinana’s first Indigenous councillor after winning a seat in last month’s election.

Cr Winmar said his memories of Kwinana being an inclusive community drew him to the council.

“I always remember Kwinana being an inclusive community with a mutual respect for the influence of Aboriginal people,” Cr Winmar said.

“Aboriginal people have been prominent in the community but participating in the political sphere brings about an opportunity to be part of the decision-making process for a better community and to be able to have a say in the way in which we all would like to live.

“My hope is for Kwinana to become a city of opportunity and to be an integral part in forging new opportunities and continued growth. My aim is for Kwinana to empower its position as an industrial leader and major contributor to the State economy.

“When we have wealth and opportunity for our community, families prosper. I want jobs for the future, opportunities for training and development, small business and entrepreneurship through innovation and a future for our kids to be a part of.”

Mayor Carol Adams said they “hit the jackpot” when Cr Winmar joined the council.

“The new council also has important gender and cultural diversity and the election of Barry Winmar as our first Aboriginal councillor is in my view an absolute bonus to the council mix,” she said.

“Barry is a fantastic role model for the Aboriginal community, having lived and raised his family in Kwinana. He attended Kwinana High School, has a broad professional background and has worked as a bank manager, a Senior Sergeant in the WA Police, a political advisor in the Department of Justice and now works locally as the CEO of the Institute of Indigenous Wellbeing and Sport in Kwinana.

“Barry has hit the ground running as he is already known by many of our community members and local organisations and in my view the City of Kwinana has hit the jackpot having Barry’s broad range of professional and community skills in the council chamber.”