Newsmaker

FORMER Woodside Energy director and local author, Erica Smyth, has been appointed new chair to the board of City West-based Scitech. Dr Smyth replaces outgoing chair Peter West, who has completed a nine-year term on the board, including his role as chair for the past two years. “Erica brings extensive experience as a past senior executive in the oil and gas industry and pro-chancellor of UWA,” Scitech chief executive Alan Brien said. “Erica’s expertise in building partnerships and her keen interest in science, business and education is sure to see Scitech continue to deliver outstanding value to the Western Australian community.” Dr Smyth, co-author of the recently-released Red Dust in Her Veins, a book celebrating the contributions by women to communities in the Pilbara, has been involved with Scitech for many years, initially through its partnership with Woodside. Her appointment comes as Scitech enters a new five-year funding agreement with the state government, which will facilitate program expansion.