Rt. Hon. Basil Zempilas

City of Perth

Lord Mayor

Basil Zempilas was elected Lord Mayor of the City of Perth in October 2020. He became the 18th Lord Mayor, joining Local Government after a successful and ongoing broadcasting career in television and radio. Basil is also a regular columnist in The West Australian with is Australia's second oldest newspaper. As the Lord Mayor, Basil works with his Council to provide direction to the City of Perth. He is committed to connecting International and National Corporations with the community in order to achieve the liveable, sustainable and prosperous pillars of the City's strategic vision. Basil is the chair of the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief fund which under his stewardship, has raised almost $35 million in a 2-year period for communities impacted by natural disasters. Since 2010 Basil has been host of Telethon, the world renowned 26-hour live television charity fundraiser. Since its inception, Telethon has raised more than $500 million (AUD) for sick children and medical research and in 2022 raised a record $71.4 million dollars (AUD). Basil was the chair of the Australian Council of Capital City Lord Mayors until January 2023. Basil is also on the City of Perth Committee, the WALGA State Council and the Capital City Planning Committee. Basil was educated in Western Australia at the prestigious Hale School and gained a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Graduate Diploma of Journalism from Murdoch University.

Sessions With Rt. Hon. Basil Zempilas

Tuesday, 7 March

Wednesday, 8 March