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.
FOR indefatigable volunteer, and father of two young boys, Ron Green, giving of his time to others is just a part of what gives him fulfilment in life, and he has been volunteering his time since he was a teenager.
The 36 year old and his wife Deslie have lived in Katherine for almost 8 years, and in that time Mr Green has managed to put his hand up for almost everything imaginable.
Around his day job teaching health, PE and SOSE to years 7 to 10 at St Joseph’s Catholic College and competing in triathlons, Mr Green also volunteers with St John’s Ambulance, the Emergency Services, Katherine Fire Station and NORFORCE with the Army Reserve.
He often has to jump from one training session to the next within the same evening.
Mr Green’s wife Deslie said as a young kid growing up in far north Queensland, her husband had a taste of life without easy access to essential services, and he always looked up to his own father, who was also involved in the emergency services.
“Since he’s been in Katherine he’s gotten really into it,” Mrs Green said.
“He just loves small-town life and being involved in the community.”
Just this month, Mr Green was honoured at a ceremony at Parliament House in which he was presented with a Most Valuable Volunteer Certificate for NT Emergency Service.
Just recently, Mr Green also accepted an auxiliary role with the Katherine firies, but his wife said it was important for him to feel that he had first earned such a role through his volunteer efforts.
In the classroom, Mr Green loves the challenge of making subjects come alive for his students, and as a history buff and keen collector of Australian war memorabilia he always has a prop or a story to help make his lessons memorable.
He and his wife have also taken on active roles helping to run the Seventh-day Adventist church with which they are both involved.
But through all of the time he devotes to the community, no matter what is going on, Mrs Green said her husband always has time for his family, and especially his boys, four-year-old Taitt, and Elliott, who is almost two.
“He does so much, but he never neglects any area ... if there’s something that needs to be done, he’ll just do it.”
To read the stories of our previously featured community heroes, follow the links:
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.