SWEEPING changes have occurred at WA Newspapers Holdings this month, with a number of arrivals at the state’s biggest media outlet and publisher of The West Australian. At board level, Woodside Petroleum chief executive Don Voelte (pictured top) and Rio Tinto Iron Ore president Sam Walsh (pictured middle) have both become directors, with Australia Post managing director Graeme John filling the vacancies left by the departure of chairman Peter Mansell and his colleagues Jenny Seabrook and Mel Ward. Seven Network executive chairman Kerry Stokes was appointed chairman as he cemented his influence over the publisher following a failed board spill in April. At executive level, Channel Seven Perth managing director Chris Wharton (pictured bottom) has become CEO, taking over from Ken Steinke, who tendered his resignation on the same day as Mr Mansell and the other board members quit. Another recent appointment is Bob Cronin to the newly recreated position of editor-in-chief. Mr Cronin held the same position until he left in the mid-1990s and it was done away with. In recent times Mr Cronin has played an overseeing role in Mr Stokes newspaper joint venture the Shanghai Daily.
