Mandurah's primary family and domestic violence service, Pat Thomas House, has appointed a new chief executive to lead the organisation through their next chapter.
Dawn Smith has been officially welcomed into the role after taking over in December when former chief, Jill Robinson, stepped down.
With a career spanning more than 30 years, Mrs Smith has worked with both survivors and perpetrators of family and domestic violence and has experience in a client-based clinical practice.
In her most recent role, she was integral in partnering two key community service organisations to form a joint venture and leading that design from its inception.
Through innovative partnership, Mrs Smith also secured private funding for a throughcare contract to support women in prison.
Pat Thomas House chairwoman, Paula Downing, welcomed Mrs Smith's appointment on behalf of the board.
Ms Downing said Mrs Smith showed operational, strategic and innovative leadership.
"Dawn will bring critical capability to the role of chief executive officers as we enter into the next stage of the organisation's development," she said.
"The board has appointed a personable, strategic leader who is deeply committed to our mission and values and who has the expertise and insight needed.
"We are delighted to welcome Dawn on board and look forward to working with her to evolve and strengthen our prevention, crisis and support services to meet client and community needs."
Read more from the Mandurah Mail domestic violence series:
- 'It's an awful thing': Mandurah domestic violence victims left homeless
- 'The laws are the issue': Police praised by domestic violence support workers
- 'Concerning': Demand for family violence services increases in Peel region
- 'Heartbreaking and frustrating': Calls for refuge to support DV victims in Peels outer region
- 'Great benefit': Mandurah police and domestic violence workers celebrate second refuge
Pat Thomas House is the Peel region's leading safe haven, providing crisis accommodation and support services for for women and children experiencing family violence.
They work closely with the community, service providers and businesses in the Peel region to empower all people to be free from family and domestic violence.
As chief, Mrs Smith will be responsible for overseeing the sustainable delivery of family and domestic violence crisis accommodation and support programs at Pat Thomas House.
She will work closely with the board to implement the roll out of the organisation's new brand as well as support expansion and diversification of the service.
For more information about Pat Thomas House, visit the website or call 9535 4775.
