Western Australia
EverAbility Group is honoured to have His Excellency The Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM, Governor of Western Australia and his wife Mrs Darrilyn Dawson as its official Patrons.
His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM was sworn in as the 34th Governor of Western Australia (link opens in new window) on 15 July 2022.
The Dawson family have been part of the early colonial settlers over five generations of farming and law enforcement. The Governor's great-great-grandparents arrived in the then Swan River colony in Western Australia in 1830.
Christopher John Dawson AC APM was educated at Perth Modern School before joining the Western Australia Police Force in 1976, going on to provide 46 years of service in Australian law enforcement.
He served in country and metropolitan positions, criminal investigation, training and senior roles. The Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2002 saw him awarded the Australian Police Medal for distinguished service.
After 10 years as Deputy Commissioner, he left WA for a national role in Canberra between 2014 to 2017 as Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Crime Commission, amalgamating several agencies into the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission. He also served as Director of the Australian Institute of Criminology during this period.
He was appointed Commissioner of the Western Australia Police Force in August 2017, serving until July 2022. During the period of the COVID-19 global pandemic, Commissioner Dawson coordinated the State of Emergency and the Vaccine program.
He is married to Mrs Darrilyn Dawson, Education Consultant, with two married children and five grandchildren.
Coming from a long line of farming families in the South West of WA, Mrs Darrilyn Dawson is a passionate supporter of the diverse contributions the country sector makes to our state.
With over 40 years experience in the education sector, Mrs Dawson has taught in government and private schools in both country and metropolitan areas.
Mrs Dawson has held a variety of roles throughout her career, including classroom teaching and as a Deputy Principal, and Principal in numerous primary schools. A career highlight was securing a job-share Principal role, which was successful over a number of years in several large primary schools. This innovative and successful partnership was acknowledged when Mrs Dawson and her job share Principal were awarded the statewide Equal Opportunity Award by the Department of Education and Training.
Mrs Dawson has served on several government school Boards. She is an Education Consultant, providing leadership training and mentoring, and is regularly involved in school selection panels, appointing educational leaders. Mrs Dawson is a Board and Committee member of two independent colleges and enjoys supporting them as they educate and grow our future leaders. She is passionate about early intervention at every opportunity and providing all children with the foundations to be their very best in whatever they aspire to do or be.
The Governor and Mrs Dawson have always supported each other in their respective career choices and aspirations. Mrs Dawson is looking forward to spending more time with her husband as they work together promoting Western Australia, as well as acknowledging the many wonderful people in our community.
When they are not working, Mrs Dawson and the Governor enjoy spending time with their two married children and their spouses, and five delightful grandchildren.
Mrs Dawson holds a Bachelor of Education and a Diploma of Teaching.
Tasmania
We are honoured to have Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Barbara Baker AC, Governor of Tasmania as our official Patron. Tasmania’s 29th Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC, was sworn to Office at Government House on Wednesday 16 June 2021.
Previously she was a judge at the Federal Circuit Court of Australia and was the first Tasmanian woman to be appointed as a Federal Magistrate in 2008. Prior to her appointment as Governor, she worked as a legal practitioner for over 23 years and practised as a barrister at Burbury Chambers. Her Excellency is known for her enormous contributions made to the administration of justice, the advancement of specialist advocacy in the family law jurisdiction and the promotion of women at the bar.