In the Community
Born and bred in Western Australia, from a simple but hard working family, Dean's father came to Australia from England as a boy and first met Dean's mother in country WA after her family moved from Victoria.
Dean's passion for the community started early on, growing up in Port Hedland, where he and his brother watched his father serve as the local police officer and ran the local Police and Citizens Youth Group.
On the arrival of his younger sister, the family moved to Nollamara in Perth's northern suburbs. Recognised for his leadership qualities, Dean was elected Head Boy at Mirrabooka Senior High School by his fellow students and awarded the Certificate for Citizenship at both his primary and secondary school graduations.
At university, he was an active member of both the University Liberal Club and Young Liberal Movement and held numerous positions in both the Politics Club and Industrial Relations Club. As a student, he regularly volunteered as a Camp Leader for the YMCA Camp for Kids – providing school holiday activities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Since 1987, much of his community focus has been in supporting the growth and electoral success of the Liberal Party in WA - he has been an active member for almost 25 years.
Over many years, Dean's leadership abilities and commitment were recognised by others. In 2001, he was invited by the United States Embassy to visit the USA on the International Visitors Program. In 2005, he was identified as a Future Leader for the Australia Leadership Summit and, in 2006, was awarded the AsiaLink Leadership Award.
Dean's interests include architecture and design, modern history and travelling to developing countries.
During his professional career, Dean has been an active member of many not-for-profit and community organisations.
On leaving high school he was the Inaugural President of his Ex-Student Association and was Captain and Learn-to-Swim Coach at the Mirrabooka Districts Swimming Club. While living in London on a working holiday, he resurrected the UK Branch of the Liberal Party and campaigned against the Republic by establishing the London Branch of Australians for Constitutional Monarchy.
As a local Perth business owner, he was a member of the Association of Mineral Exploration Companies and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA.
He is also a member of Perth Rotary and a Board Member of a community based retirement association.
He supports a variety of conservative groups and is a member of Australians for Constitutional Monarchy, the Australian National Flag Association and the Samuel Griffith Society.
