THERE are many people in the Katherine region who do not hesitate to go the extra mile to make a difference to the lives of their friends, families and the community they live in.
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Those people are often quiet achievers who do not get the recognition they deserve. To celebrate quiet achievers in the region the Katherine Times - with the support of Nitmiluk Tours - proudly presents this week’s Community Hero.
WHEN Judy Locke was a child, all she wanted was to be a radio announcer, but back then women’s voices were rarely heard on the radio.
Not one to let convention put her off, Judy never took her eye off the prize and she has now clocked up over 20 years of volunteer work with Katherine Community Radio, 8KTR.
It was a hard slog to get the initial broadcast license in the 1980s but true to her reputation for humility, Judy said she just happened to be “the last man standing.”
Judy has taken enormous pleasure in watching the station evolve from its first test broadcast at the Katherine Show in 1988 which took place in a caravan supplied by the Toyota dealer, using microphones taped to shoe-boxes.
She has thrown her heart and her patience into building the service the region enjoys today.
Judy has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding for the station – through it all hoping that people have simply enjoyed tuning in for local community-orientated content.
Judy is now renowned for her vast musical collection and knowledge, and she has only one rule: “If I like it, I’ll play it. If I don’t, I won’t.”
While Judy has been through her own health ups and downs, including a battle with breast
cancer 10 years ago, she has never lost the passion for her radio station and her community.
As Katherine has grown and the workings of radio have changed, Judy hasn’t faltered, or let it worry her.
Her philosophy has always been to “go with the flow” and just keep the airwaves alive.
To read the stories of our previously featured community heroes, follow the links: Peter Fletcher, Tylee Wirth, Jenny Duggan.
Every week the Community Hero celebrated in the Katherine Times receives at $50 Nitmiluk Gorge meal voucher.
NOMINATE a quiet achiever and receive a $15 Nitmiluk Gorge meal voucher if your nominee features as the next Community Hero.
Email the name and a brief description of your hero’s achievements (and a photo if you have one) to
editor.kathtimes@ruralpress.com or ring the Katherine Times on 8972 1111.