Donald Thomas Punch was born on 31 August 1956 and is an Australian politician.
15 Facts About Don Punch
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2.
Don Punch has been a Labor member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly since the 2017 state election, representing Bunbury.
3.
Don Punch holds a Master Class 5 and is a Private Pilot.
4.
Don Punch has worked throughout regional Western Australia as a social worker and later as a Senior Executive in the public sector.
5.
Don Punch became CEO of the South West Development Commission in 1998, serving until he resigned in 2016 upon his preselection as the Labor candidate for Bunbury.
6.
Don Punch was appointed to the WA Methamphetamine Task Force in 2017.
7.
Don Punch was re-elected in the 2025 Western Australian state election.
8.
Don Punch migrated to Australia in 1971 from Manchester in the UK and attended high school in Manjimup and Collie.
9.
Don Punch migrated to Australia at the age of 14 and joined his brother Tony and his wife Ann and recommenced high school in Manjimup.
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Don Punch matriculated from Collie High School in 1973 and attributes this to a combination of inspiring teachers and the regional school experience.
11.
Don Punch studied Psychology at UWA and then spent 1978 working back in Manchester.
12.
Don Punch worked as a social worker in Moora, later transferring to Collie.
13.
Don Punch later became the regional Director for the Department for Family and Children's Services northern regions and married Helen Wychlo, the daughter of Polish immigrants.
14.
In 1998 Don Punch left Family and Children's Services to take on the role of CEO of the South West Development Commission.
15.
Don Punch is a sailor and holds commercial marine qualifications both as a master of commercial vessels and as a Yachtmaster Instructor and recreational diver.