Year in review 2025: The influential people who got WA talking in 2025

With 2025 all but in the rear view mirror, we take a look at the West Australians who dominated headlines, were influential and had us talking.

Roger Cook

An emphatic election victory in March silenced previous claims that Roger Cook was an un-elected Premier, and cemented his position.

Mr Cook wasted no time re-shaping Cabinet and the State’s bureaucracy, in a bid to close Labor’s McGowan chapter and set a new agenda.

Responsibility for health was split between five Ministers, while the passage of new state development laws on the last sitting day of the parliamentary calendar sets the stage for the Premier to fast-track energy and AUKUS projects.

Taxpayer-funded plans for a Perth rugby league team and a Burswood street circuit (now called Perth Park) sparked claims Labor was distracting voters with “bread and circuses”, but Mr Cook joked that he deserved the title of ‘bogan whisperer’ more than his Treasurer Rita Saffioti.

“I’ll just put on the record that the street circuit proposal was an initiative that was undertaken when I was the Minister for Tourism,” he said.

Mr Cook signalled his intent to stay in the top job in November, when he shut down speculation about the ambitions of ministerial colleagues.

“I want my ministers to be ambitious,” he said.

But he assured Labor’s State conference that he’ll still be leader in 2029.

“I will lead this brilliant team of talented ministers and Labor MPs to the election that will determine which party sees this great State through to the next decade,” he said.

Labor’s power behind the scenes: Ellie Whiteaker, Daniel Pastorelli, Daniel Smith, Mark Reed

Two of WA Labor’s most senior figures behind the scenes are now MPs themselves.

Ellie Whiteaker was the brains behind Labor’s winning election strategy, who is now a Senator.

Daniel Pastorelli was chief of staff for both Mark McGowan and Roger Cook, as Premier.

He’s on the fast track to Cabinet and fast becoming the Government’s ‘fixer’, having been given the tough task of managing public consultations over the Perth Park and put in charge of an overhaul of public holidays as Cabinet secretary.

The switch by Ms Whiteaker and Mr Pastorelli to public-facing roles left big shoes to fill.

Former McGowan strategist Mark Reed took over at party HQ, while former BHP and Alan Carpenter advisor Daniel Smith quickly shuffled the decks inside the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

Olly Pickett

Brother Olly Pickett was named Western Australian of the Year and Senior Australian of the Year, for his work leading one of the State’s largest volunteer-led charities.

The retired metalwork teacher who turned a Rotary Club’s request for a wheelchair into an organisation that now gifts thousands of them to children around the world each year.

In a world first, the wheelchairs — which have been backed by the World Health Organisation — are fully adjustable, meaning they can “grow” with the child into adulthood.

The 84-year-old was nominated for the award by former students at St Patrick’s College in Geraldton.

“I have seen the smiles on the faces of so many kids and it has all been worth it,” he said.

Arthur Leggett

The death of WWII prisoner of war Arthur Leggett reminded us all of a generation’s service and sacrifice that shaped our State.

He was 106, and was laid to rest with a State Funeral at St George’s Cathedral in May.

Governor Chris Dawson described Mr Leggett as a torchbearer for Australian values.

He believed in the power of education to prevent war.

“The angle that I use is not about glory or old mates, I just point out to the school children the terrific advantages they have living in this country,” he said.

“I also point out to them that they have these advantages because of the sacrifices that men have made in past wars to keep this country the way it is.”

Chris Dawson

Sworn-in as the 34th Governor of WA in the wake of his stint as Police Commissioner and Covid-19 Vaccine Commander, Chris Dawson was a unifying voice in 2025.

His public apology over the 1834 Pinjarra massacre sought to right a previous Governor’s wrong, on the 200th anniversary of the ambush on the banks of the Murray River, and was welcomed by descendants of the victims.

“My mum tells me all the time that he would be very proud of who I am, and what we’ve done today,” traditional owner Karrie-Anne Kearing said.

“That’s a big thing for me, to show acknowledgement for my elders that fought before me and to finally get an acknowledgement is a great thing.”

The Governor’s Benefit Ball revived another dark moment in the State’s history, when Audrey Jacob shot dead her ex-fiance inside Government House in 1925.

“The last thing I wanted to do was celebrate someone being shot,” Mr Dawson said.

“The social issues of 1925 certainly haven’t been resolved 100 years later. So why not raise money for the exact same reasons as to why they had the (1925 ball)?

“The data tells us that there’s one woman killed every eight days across Australia, one man is killed by an intimate partner every 41 days. In this instance, the man was killed by a former partner. They are real issues today.”

Simon Trott

Born in South Perth, raised on a farm in Wickepin and educated at Christ Church Grammar in Claremont, Simon Trott’s promotion to the top of Rio Tinto was attributed to his “deep understanding” of mining and a track record of delivery.

He’s now moved to the London headquarters of the third largest mining company in the world, quickly slashed the executive ranks and has vowed to reduce costs by four per cent to make the business “stronger, sharper and simpler”.

Where the cost-cutting axe will fall is unclear.

“We’ve obviously reduced the size of EXCO (direct leadership team) because I wanted a smaller, more accountable team that could move faster,” Mr Trott said in early December.

“We have looked really hard at the organisation and the more layers that you have and the further away… you have that decision making, the slower and more cumbersome it is. This is about really reducing those layers.”

Analysts have described Mr Trott’s approach as “evolutionary, not revolutionary” amid the company’s warnings that new iron ore supply is needed, as high quality ore in WA’s Pilbara is depleted.

Rio Tinto’s share price has surged from $110.28 when he was named chief executive, to $147.50 on Christmas Eve.

Meg O’Neill

Seven years after she moved to Perth to become Woodside’s chief operations officer, Meg O’Neill is poised to move back to the United States as the first female boss of any of the world’s top five oil majors.

BP has a market capitalisation of about US$90 billion, and praised Ms O’Neill’s “proven track record of driving transformation, growth and disciplined capital allocation”.

Woodside credited her for leading the company’s merger with BHP Petroleum, progress on the Scarborough energy project off WA’s coast, and $11 billion in dividends paid to shareholders since 2022.

But her four years as CEO of Australia’s largest gas producer have not been without controversy, as climate activists continued to target Ms O’Neill’s rare public appearances.

In May she accused “young people” of hypocrisy.

“It’s been a fascinating journey to watch the discussion, particularly amongst young people who have this very ideological, almost zealous view of fossil fuels bad, renewables good, that are happily plugging in their devices, ordering things from Shein and Temu,” she said.

“Having one little thing shipped to their house without any sort of recognition of the energy and carbon impact of their actions.

“That human impact and the consumer’s role in driving energy demand and emissions absolutely is a missing space in the conversation.”

Gina Rinehart

Her net worth has been estimated at anywhere between $29 billion and $40 billion but, by any measure, Gina Rinehart has cemented her position as Australia’s richest person.

Her gamble on critical minerals and rare earths paid off, as Australia and the United States struck a $13 billion deal to fast-track new supply chains, aiming to crack China’s dominance of the trade.

It’s estimated the value of Mrs Rinehart’s eight per cent stake in Lynas Rare Earths has tripled to $1.7 billion.

Mrs Rinehart has been spotted alongside US President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort parties and has been a vocal supporter of the MAGA brand’s “drill baby, drill” slogan, calling net zero targets “bad policy” that was founded on “economic lies”.

She’s urged shareholders to apply pressure to Australia’s industrial leaders.

“Your dividends are being sacrificed on the green altar,” Mrs Rinehart said.

Carolina Wilga

Her holiday in WA didn’t last long, but Carolina Wilga’s disappearance in the wilderness in July had the entire State on edge.

The 26-year-old German backpacker’s survival was sheer luck, according to police who scoured the outback for her.

She was found “exhausted, dehydrated, hungry” and ravaged by mosquitos, after 11 nights lost.

The misadventure began when Ms Wilga’s van became bogged, deep in a nature reserve 36 kilometres north of Beacon, a one-shop town with a population of about 100 people.

She flew home to Germany for treatment, after issuing a statement of thanks to WA.

“I am deeply impressed by the courage, helpfulness, and warmth that has been shown to me here,” she said.

“Western Australia has taught me what it really means to be part of a true community. Here, humanity, solidarity, and care for one another are what truly matter – and in the end, that’s what counts most.

“I am certain that I survived only thanks to this incredible outpouring of support. The thought of all the people who believed in me, searched for me, and kept hoping for me gave me the strength to carry on during my darkest moments.

“For this, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Nat Fyfe, Michael Walters, Jeremy McGovern, Dom Sheed

Former Fremantle skipper and dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe, leading goalkicker and Indigenous all-stars captain Michael Walters, and Eagles premiership hero Jeremy McGovern led the high-profile retirements from the AFL.

A “gutted” McGovern didn’t want it to end, but was forced into premature retirement after another concussion.

“I will always bleed blue and gold,” he said.

Dom Sheed’s goal that sealed the Eagles’ 2018 flag ensured his spot in sporting folklore, while a premiership medal was the only thing missing from Nat Fyfe’s trophy cabinet.

The skinny kid from Lake Grace was pick 20 in the 2009 draft and left the AFL as one of its most decorated players.

He described the last injury-prone five years as difficult but rewarding.

“I’ve changed a lot and I feel like the adversity really shifts your perspective on a number of things and I couldn’t be more grateful for that,” he said.

A chronic knee issue ended Michael “Sonny” Walters’ 17-year AFL career.

A fan favourite, he was given a rockstar farewell by the purple army at Optus Stadium after 239 games and 365 goals.

“I’m just a boy from Midland who wanted to play the game that he loved,” he said.

Daisy Pearce

During a year that was grim for WA football fans, the AFLW provided some desperately needed consolation.

The Eagles’ maiden AFLW finals campaign was short-lived, but provided further proof of Daisy Pearce’s impact as coach.

She’s vowed to use the shattering loss to Carlton to spur the team on to future success.

“The great foundation we’ve laid is their belief and their want to get in and work together. We’ve got that now,” she said.

“It is these moments that make it more satisfying.”

Min-Jee Lee

A third major win, and her fourth Greg Norman Medal, solidified Min-Jee Lee as one of the best golfer’s in the world.

She’s currently third in the women’s world rankings, but had to fight her way back.

Her PGA Championship title in Texas in June ended a 19-month winless streak.

“Every single day it was a bit of a grind,” she said.

“I had to really dig deep for it.”

It fulfilled champion brother Min Woo’s prediction that 2025 would be her year. He told her not to think you can, “you will”.

She’s now set her sights on the LPGA Hall of Fame.

“That’s why I started golf,” she said.

Mitch Brown

After 92 games for the West Coast Eagles, Mitch Brown made his mark off the turf when he came out as the first openly bisexual footballer in AFL history.

It sparked a public outpouring of support, but Mr Brown said it was the conversations behind closed doors that he hoped to change.

“The ones of those young men around Australia going, ‘I feel seen, I feel a little bit safer, and I have a role model — albeit just ordinary old Mitch — a role model I can now look to’,” he said.

Putra Mas

Perth Zoo farewelled the last of its elephants when Putra Mas packed his trunk for the long drive to South Australia’s Monarto Safari Park.

He was described by zookeepers as “one of the most intelligent bulls” they had worked with, but had to be rehomed after the passing of WA’s elephant matriarch Tricia in 2022.

One hundred and twenty-five years after Perth welcomed its very first elephant, the city said goodbye.

Rick Ardon and Susannah Carr

They read the news and, in 2025, Rick Ardon and Susannah Carr were the news as they celebrated 40 years and a record as the world’s longest-serving TV news anchor duo.

The pair first broadcast together in January 1985 and are still leading the ratings at the end of 2025.

Both say the job is a privilege.

“We’ve witnessed so many significant moments in history together and there’s plenty more to come,” Ardon said.