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.
YOU might know her simply as ‘Ranger Clare’, but Katherine’s Community Education Officer with Parks and Wildlife Clare Pearce, does an immeasurable amount as an educator and an ambassador for National Parks and the broader environment.
Mrs Pearce was born in Alice Springs and moved to Darwin as a child.
Her work with Parks and Wildlife began at the tender age of 18, and she spent much of her time around the beauty of Litchfield National Park and Darwin’s Botanical Gardens, which helped her decide that while croc catching can be fun, and furry wildlife are very sweet, her great love is for plants, “which never bite back”.
Mrs Pearce and her husband David arrived in Katherine almost 13 years ago, when her eldest child was just ten weeks old, and she began work in the Greening Australia and Mitre Ten nurseries.
She then took up her role as a ranger in Katherine – with her love of plants and broad knowledge of the natural environment making her a wonderful ‘interpreter’ of the park to visitors and tourists.
She has been Community Education Officer in Katherine for almost a year now, and Mrs Pearce said she gets huge satisfaction from working with the students involved in her Junior Rangers programs.
“My primary role is facilitating people’s connection to parks and to the environment.”
The busy ranger spreads safety messages – like being croc-wise – and helps schools to develop heir own environmental programs, as well as planning excursions and school talks.
The 43 year old said she sees her work as more than a job – and one you can only do if you love it.
It is this outlook, as well as her passion for sharing the beauty of nature with others, that makes Clare Pearce a true community hero.
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.