The lord mayor of Perth is the head of the City of Perth, the capital city of Western Australia. The position originated as chairman of the Perth Town Trust, which governed the settlement from 1838 to 1858. With the establishment of the Perth City Council in 1858, the leadership title continued to be chairman, becoming mayor in 1880. In 1929, the title was elevated to lord mayor to mark the centenary of the city's founding. This article lists all individuals who have served as chairman, mayor, and lord mayor of Perth.

The history of the City of Perth, a local government area of Western Australia is defined over three distinct periods: From 1829 to 1838 — controlled by the Governor of Western Australia From 1838 to 1858 — controlled by the Perth Town Trust From 1858 to present — controlled by the Perth City Council, later renamed City of Perth

Origins On 15 June 1837, an Act was proclaimed to ..provide for the management of roads, streets and other internal communications within the settlement of Western Australia. The management and control was vested in a body of trustees consisting of the Justices of the Peace resident in the town; and the proprietors of allotments held in fee simple. The act was repealed in September 1842 and authority was conferred on elected representatives. The first elected Chairman and committee took office on 8 February 1842 and comprised: Walter Boyd Andrews (Chairman) George Leake, James Purkis, Peter Broun, W. H. Drake, Richard Jones (committee members) James Purkis was appointed treasurer

On 23 February 1856 (two years before the dissolution of the Trust), Perth was constituted a city upon the foundation of the Bishopric of Perth through the consecration of the first Anglican Bishop of Perth, Matthew Blagden Hale.

From 1858 to 1880, the President of the Council was styled "Chairman", from 1880 until 1929, the Chairman was termed the "Mayor" and from 1929 the mayor was elevated to the title of "Lord Mayor".

Chairman, Perth Town Trust (1838–1858)

Officeholder Term George Leake 1838–1840 Richard Hinds 1841 Walter Boyd Andrews 1842 Thomas Helms 1843–1845 James Purkis 1846–1848 Thomas HelmsData supplied by City of Perth indicated D. Scott (assumed to be Captain Daniel Scott) was joint Chairman from 1849. This however, is unlikely as Capt. Scott was based in and had significant responsibilities in Fremantle as harbour-master. In addition, he was mayor of Fremantle Town Trust from 1848 to 1851 as well as 1853–1854 and 1856–1858. 1849 Henry Laroche Cole 1853 George Shenton Sr 1854–1855 George Shenton Sr; Sir Luke Leake 1856 George Shenton Sr 1857–1858

Chairman, Perth City Council (1858–1879) OfficeholderTerm Henry Laroche Cole 1858–1860 Julian Carr 1861–1863 Julian Carr; Alfred Hillman; George Haysom 1864 Julian Carr 1865–1868 Julian Carr; George Glyde 1869 George Glyde 1870–1873 George Randell 1874–1875 George Shenton 1876–1877 Sir Stephen Henry Parker 1877–1879

Mayor, Perth City Council (1880–1929)

OfficeholderTerm George Shenton 1880 Stephen Henry Parker; George Shenton 1881 George Shenton 1882–1884 George Randell 1885 George Shenton 1886–1888 Dr Edward Scott 1889–1891 Edward Keane 1891–1892 Sir Stephen Henry Parker 1892 Alexander Forrest 1893–1895 Henry Saunders 1895–1898 Alexander Forrest 1898–1900 William Brookman 1900–1901 Sir Stephen Henry Parker 1901 William Loton 1901–1902 Harry Brown 1902–1905 Sydney Stubbs 1905–1907 Thomas Molloy 1908–1909 Richard Paul Vincent 1909–1911 Thomas Molloy 1911–1912 John Prowse 1913–1914 John Nicholson 1914–1915 Frank Rea 1916–1917 Sir William Lathlain 1918–1923 James Franklin 1923–1929

Lord Mayor, Perth City Council (since 1929) OfficeholderTerm Hon James T Franklin 1929–1930 Hon Sir William Lathlain 1930–1932 Hon James T Franklin 1932–1934 Joseph J. Poynton 1934–1937 Charles Harper 1937–1939 Sir Thomas William Meagher 1940–1945 Sir Joseph Totterdell 1946–1953 James Murray 1953–1955 Sir Harry Howard 1955–1964 Charles J. B. Veryard 1964–1967 Sir Thomas Wardle 1967–1972 Ernest Henry Lee-Steere 1972–1978 Sir Fred Chaney 1978–1982 Mick Michael 1982–1988 Chas Hopkins 1988–1991 Rt Hon Reg Withers 1991–1994 Dr Peter Nattrass 1995–2007 Lisa Scaffidi 20 October 2007 – 2 March 2018None2 March 2018 – 18 October 2020 Basil Zempilas19 October 2020 – March 2025NoneMarch 2025 – October 2025Bruce ReynoldsOctober 2025 – present

Electoral results 2023

Notes

References

Sources

External links Page at the Perth City website