Steve Blyth has been elected unopposed as the new State President of The Nationals WA at the Party’s State Conference held in Exmouth today.
Mr Blyth has been a long-term member and supporter of The Nationals, serving in a variety of roles in the organisation including as President of the Roe Electorate Council, Vice President of the Party and member of the State Executive.
State Director Joe Lundy said Mr Blyth understood the challenges and opportunities of living, working and operating a business in regional WA and had been actively involved in the organisation for some time.
“We welcome Steve to the role and we know his experience will help shape The Nationals WA as we look toward the 2021 State election,” Mr Lundy said.
Mr Blyth is a biosecurity officer and previously owned and operated his own successful production nursery in Katanning for more than 20 years. He represented The Nationals WA as a candidate for the Agricultural Region at the 2017 State Election and as president of the Roe Electorate Council.
Mr Lundy also paid tribute to outgoing State President James Hayward, who has held the office since 2015.
“James is a valuable member of The Nationals WA family and a true champion for regional WA,” Mr Lundy said.
“He has overseen some significant changes in our Party, strengthened our ties with our colleagues in the eastern states and been a fierce advocate for regional WA.
“He also oversaw the 2017 State election as President, and in the face of a massive swing against the government The Nationals WA vote was largely unchanged, and even improved in some seats.
“We wish him well in his new role as Senior Vice President on the Federal National Party Executive.”
The State Conference also elected a number of State Executive delegates, including:
- Vice President, Tori Castledine (Esperance)
- Male Delegate, Robin Vandenburg (Karratha)
- Male Delegate, Tony Crook (Kalgoorlie-Boulder)
- Female Delegate, Anne Ryan (Busselton)
- Female Delegate, Judi Janes (Metropolitan)
Mr Lundy paid tribute to outgoing Executive members Julie Kirby (Wilyabrup), Louise Kingston (Albany), Paul Gillett (Brunswick) and Steve Chamarette (Trayning) for their service to the Party.
