Gail McGowan
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Gail McGowan
Non-Executive Chair / Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority
Most Notable Role
Gail McGowan PSM was the inaugural director general at the Department of Planning, Lands & Heritage from April 2014 to May 2021 when she became a special advisor to the government of Western Australia.
Ms McGowan was previously the deputy director-general of the Department of State Development. She had led some of the state's most significant land assembly and development projects, and had oversight for major projects including the Oakajee development, the Ord-East Kimberley expansion, and the Browse liquefied natural gas project. Ms McGowan spent almost a decade as the director of policy and education at WorkSafe, and also spent a number of years as a principal policy adviser and chief of staff to state and federal ministers.
In May 2023, Ms McGowan became the first woman in almost 50 years to hold the role as chancellor of Murdoch University. She will be the 8th chancellor appointed.
Ms McGowan received a Public Service Medal in 2019, Murdoch University Distinguished Alumni in 2019, IPAA WA Leader of the Year in State or Federal Government 2021, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration of Australia.
Ms McGowan was previously the deputy director-general of the Department of State Development. She had led some of the state's most significant land assembly and development projects, and had oversight for major projects including the Oakajee development, the Ord-East Kimberley expansion, and the Browse liquefied natural gas project. Ms McGowan spent almost a decade as the director of policy and education at WorkSafe, and also spent a number of years as a principal policy adviser and chief of staff to state and federal ministers.
In May 2023, Ms McGowan became the first woman in almost 50 years to hold the role as chancellor of Murdoch University. She will be the 8th chancellor appointed.
Ms McGowan received a Public Service Medal in 2019, Murdoch University Distinguished Alumni in 2019, IPAA WA Leader of the Year in State or Federal Government 2021, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration of Australia.
Lists and Charts
Roles
Year started and most recent title
Person Activity
| NEW ROLE: Board Member, Western Australian Cricket Association | 16 Nov 2023 |
| NEWS: Tagged in Miners face tree change challenge | 04 Jul 2023 |
| NEW ROLE: Chancellor, Murdoch University | 12 Jun 2023 |
| NEW ROLE: Senate Member, Murdoch University | 10 Mar 2023 |
| NEW ROLE: Commissioner, Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup | 22 Dec 2022 |
| NEW ROLE: Non-Executive Director, Foundation Housing | 19 Jan 2022 |
| NEW ROLE: Non-Executive Chair, Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority | 19 Jan 2022 |
| NEW ROLE: Non-Executive Director, Mid West Ports Authority | 12 Oct 2021 |
| NEW ROLE: Special Advisor, Government of Western Australia | 31 May 2021 |
| NEWS: Tagged in Gaps aplenty at public service | 13 May 2021 |
