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.
CATHY Highet comes from the kind of family for whom hard work, kindness, and attentiveness to the needs of others seems to be ingrained.
Many of them, including her husband, could easily fill this spot as a community hero, but it is with pride and love that they say few are more deserving of recognition than Cathy.
Moving from Longreach to Katherine about 37 years ago with her mum Margaret Avenell, Cathy, the sixth of nine siblings, has put decades of her energy into the local community.
From running the junior Red Cross in the 1980s to being Katherine District Show Society steward councillor president for 17 years (and now a life-member) to her current role as a volunteer with the Australian Airforce Cadets at the RAAF base, Cathy is happiest helping.
According to the commanding officer of the RAAF cadet program, Flying Officer Leigh Ruxton, they would be lost without 53-year-old Cathy’s commitment and energy.
“She became involved years ago and she’s fantastic.”
Starting off as a civilian member responsible for everything from food preparation to administration and camp coordination, Cathy became a ‘staff member proper’ in 2007, earning her place in uniform as a corporal.
“Without her involvement and her husband Andrew, the whole place would fall apart.
“They’re an incredible team.”
“She’s always been like that with helping, ever since she was little,” her mother Margaret said.
“It’s because of that nature that she won the ‘Pride of Australia Award’ for community service, for the NT in 2010.”
And to Cathy’s business partner in CJ’s Beauty Centre, Jacki Balmer ‘community hero’ is a title which suits her friend and colleague down to the ground.
“That’s her, she just does so much.”
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.
