As a former Mandurah mayor, Paddi Creevey knows a thing or two about local government.
This week she sat down with the Mandurah Mail to have a chat about life after leadership, what makes an effective local council, and her tip for the upcoming election.
Retired now for close to four years, there is nothing retiring about Paddi Creevey.
If anything, the former mayor is busier than she was while serving on council.
“Life’s been wonderful for me,” she said.
“I’ve had the privilege of being involved in a number of things that I feel very passionate about.”
Among these things are positions on numerous boards, and work with Peel Harvey Catchment Council, WestAus Crisis, Peel Community Group and Regional Development Australia – Peel.
“I refuse to be busy,” Paddi said.
“But I’m happy to be involved.”
As well as fishing and gardening, and spending time with her “wonderful” friends, Paddi has kept her finger on the pulse of Mandurah.
She was thrilled when the city was named the top tourist town last week, and said Mandurah was an “absolutely fabulous place to live”, but conceded there was still work to be done to lift unemployment rates and to ensure nobody got left behind.
“I know from WestAus Crisis we’re seeing people who’ve never been in this situation before,” Paddi said, referring to Mandurah’s high unemployment.
“Because our situation as a region has changed so dramatically it’s so important we’re all working together.”
Placing a particular emphasis on the importance of building strong relationships, Paddi said respect was key in working on council to get things done.
“What councillors learn very quickly is that individually, you have no power,” she said.
“The mayor has no power on their own.
“What you do have is the opportunity to work together to influence things that will benefit the community and if you could keep that ideal in mind and have the staff work towards that ideal then wonderful things can be achieved.
“Nothing happens unless the [City] staff – led by the CEO – really put their shoulder to the wheel.”
By way of example, Paddi referenced the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre redevelopment, and said it took many years to get it where it is today.
“All the wonderful things that have come to fruition in Mandurah [are due to] many, many, many people working for over 10 years on every single project,” she said.
But Paddi cautioned the community not to solely look at infrastructure as a measure of a local government’s success.
She said funding was becoming increasingly harder to secure and Mandurah had to “dig deep” and work with what we have to ensure we could still build our community.
“It’s not going to all be about the infrastructure we’re able to do,” Paddi said.
“We have to have leaders who can reach out to all sections of the community. We have to be very, very inclusive.
“That takes some different thinking.”
In terms of her pick for Mandurah’s top job, Paddi said she favoured a fresh face in Rhys Williams.
“Obviously the community has a choice, but if you’re asking me for my personal view then I think Rhys has the ability to be an excellent mayor.” she said.
