Hedland stalwart wins top regional director award

A former Mayor and community stalwart has been recognised for her hard work and dedication as a director in the not-for-profit sector in the Pilbara.

Kelly Howlett was awarded the PwC Director Award for Excellence in the not-for-profit sector for Regional WA at the Australian Institute of Company Directors awards on November 17.

The awards celebrate the contribution of a regional director for their leadership on director issues and their promotion of excellence in governance to achieve a positive impact for society.

The Hedland stalwart is an experienced director who, during two terms as mayor of the Town of Port Hedland, chaired and facilitated a number of boards and committees.

Since leaving local government, Ms Howlett has continued her board involvement with the Western Australian Country Health Service and WA Waste Authority.

In 2018 Ms Howlett was inducted into the WA Women’s Hall of Fame in recognition of her significant contribution to the Hedland environment and community.

Ms Howlett has also spent the past six years chairing the Port Hedland Alcohol and Other Drug Management Plan Working Group.

She also served as the chief executive of the Bloodwood Tree Association for six years before stepping down earlier this year.

Under her leadership Bloodwood Tree was awarded the Port Hedland Chamber of Commerce Best Aboriginal Business for three years running.

Australian Institute of Company Directors WA manager Carl Cockerham said Ms Howlett was a deserving recipient of the Regional Excellence Award and had brought a huge amount of energy and enthusiasm to her board and organisational roles.

“Kelly’s work as an environmental scientist has seen her serve 19 consecutive years as chair of the local Care for Hedland Environmental Association and she is a champion of Hedland’s Tidy Town efforts,” he said.

Ms Howlett said she was proud to receive the Regional Director Award for Excellence and hoped it would also bring greater awareness to the important work of Bloodwood Tree and other community and environmental organisations in the Pilbara.