❤️ An International Women’s Day initiative to celebrate inspiring Durack women ❤️
⭐ Peta Baer is a passionate community leader in Newman, Western Australia, dedicating over 30 hours a week to volunteering as a gymnastics coach, Scouts leader, and Shire of East Pilbara councillor. A fierce advocate for inclusivity and neurodivergent representation, Peta has overcome personal challenges, including her autism and ADHD diagnosis, to champion opportunities for all. Her commitment to creating safe, supportive spaces—whether through sport, youth programs, or advocacy—has made a lasting impact on her community. Whether fighting for a new gymnastics facility or standing in Parliament House to push for change, Peta’s drive to uplift others is truly inspiring ⭐
An interview with Peta
Tell us about you?
I’m Peta Baer, a community leader, proud scout leader, and passionate advocate for inclusivity and community connection. Living in Newman, Western Australia, I thrive on bringing people together and making the community a better place. Diagnosed as autistic later in life, I’ve spent a lot of time unlearning expectations and embracing who I am. Advocacy has become a big part of my journey, and one of my proudest moments was standing in Parliament House, delivering a speech on the need for greater neurodivergent representation in leadership. Outside of my council and community work, I’m a scout leader (known as “Nook”), where I get to foster adventure, resilience, and fun in young people. I’m also heavily involved in the local gymnastics club, helping to create a supportive and empowering space for kids to develop confidence and skills. Between juggling family life, managing my hectic schedule, and working to make Newman a more connected and inclusive place, I’m always looking for the next challenge, preferably one that can create a better community for me and my family.
What advice would you give to your younger self, considering the unique challenges that women often encounter in leadership roles?
If I could give my younger self any advice, it would be this: take up space. You deserve a seat at the table, and your voice matters. When I was younger, I constantly questioned whether I was the right person to create change—why me? Why not someone else? But over time, I’ve learned to reframe that thinking. Instead of asking why me?, I now ask why NOT me? That shift has helped me embrace my passion and knowledge, using them to make a real difference.
What word/s describe your leadership style?
If I had to describe my leadership style, I’d say I like to give people the space to grow, make mistakes, and develop their own passion and creativity. There’s something really special about letting others feed off your passion and using that energy to help them achieve their goals—being part of that process is incredibly rewarding..
What words of inspiration can you share with women in regional, rural and remote Western Australia?.
Women are the backbone of rural, regional, and remote Western Australia—the glue that holds our communities together. I hope we can all find our people, build strong networks, and support each other in developing the resilience needed to face the unique challenges of isolated living. Together, we are stronger.
Who are the role models that have inspired you?
I’m inspired by so many incredible people, especially the strong and successful women around me. I want to give a special shoutout to those who have had a profound impact on who I am—Sarah Stampfli, Cara Clews, Lillie Anderson, Lou Lockyer, Jenna Denton, Mikayla Love, Taylor Roberson, and Stacey Timms. And, of course, my daughters, Lexie and Ruby, who inspire me every day to be the best version of myself. Their strength and guidance keep me motivated, especially when life gets tough.
We thank you Peta, for what you achieve for your community and regional Durack 💙