Born and raised in Melbourne, Alannah came to Perth at 18 seeking adventure. She worked everywhere from factories, bars and checkouts to the Federal Government's Aboriginal Employment and Training Branch before commencing a career in commercial law, becoming a partner in a Perth law firm. Alannah has always believed that in a democracy you can't just expect someone else will do what needs to be done and so has taken an active role in community and politics since her teenage years. She was elected to Perth City Council, serving there for five years. She began a 17-year stint in WA Parliament in 1993 from where she served as Minister for Planning and Infrastructure 2001-2008. She has since been Mayor of Vincent and most recently served a term as the Federal Member for Perth. Alannah describes the Perth she experienced in the ‘70s and the part she played subsequently in shaping the City.
