Ben Rose incorporates family values with new role

I sit with Ben at a popular cafe in Donnybrook for lunch.

Despite being the interview subject, Ben wants to hear about my life just as much as I do about his.

His interest in a simple journalist demonstrates his humbleness.

Ben held the position of projects director in the Town of Victoria Park for close to four years.

He did not participate in last Sunday’s Swan River Run, as it was a track he used to do regularly on his lunch break.

He relocated to the South West a couple of months ago with his young family.

I begin by asking him about his first few weeks in the shire.

“I have received a warm welcome from the community and staff alike. I have spent the first few weeks getting out and about to visit the various shire centres and been invited to various community meetings. It’s been great to hear local thoughts, aspirations and issues first hand,” he says.

Ben moved from town to town several times during his youth, he says “Bunbury feels like home”, which is where he met his wife Tahlia.

“Having spent a good deal of my youth in the area, it’s not exactly foreign to me – in fact it feels more like a homecoming than a new beginning. My wife and kids are certainly enjoying the move back to the South West and the opportunity to get back closer to family and friends. My young boy (3 years) just loved Telling Tales in Balingup three weekends ago.”

After travelling the world a bit and maturing as a man, Ben realised he wanted to work in local government.

His work experience includes working for the Harvey Shire as a town planner.

He says the notable differences between Perth and Donnybrook is the latter’s community closeness, and the interest the community takes in the shire works, projects, and events.

He is impressed by how cultural small towns, such as Balingup, are.

“The readiness of community members to ‘roll up their sleeves’ and work together, whether on an event or as part of a committee or community project.”

Ben’s ethos is to work with people in the community, staff, the private sector and government to achieve collaboration and engagement.

“I see my role as that of facilitator or enabler  In these times of tight budgets, local government simply doesn’t have the resources and funds to achieve everything the community needs and wants. I will work with the community to empower them to achieve their aspirations.

Nearly one month into the job, Ben has set his targets in sight.

“Along with the 2016/17 budget preparations, my priorities in the first few weeks have been to meet all of the staff, understand how the organisation operates and to get out into the community as much as possible.”

He says the long-term vision for the shire will be guided by the council.

“The chief executive’s role is to deliver the council’s vision. From an operational perspective, my objective is to drive continued improvement to the efficiency and effectiveness of the council’s operations.”

Ben speaks volumes about family values and how growing up in a large family has always placed his principles and values in the interest of others.

He has family scattered in placed that include Bunbury, Capel, Dunsborough, and Albany.

“A sense of family stems to my sense of community,” he says.

As a sports enthusiast he enjoys football, hockey, tennis, softball, and golf.

He runs marathons and cycles, and follows the Tour de France “religiously”.

“I’m keen to get out there and be a visible, recognisable face for the shire and myself.”

– Matthew Lau