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. 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
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Nitmiluk Tours - proudly presents this week’s Community Hero.
IN SUE Jones’s almost forty years in Katherine, she has made her mark on the community, not just in her dynamic efforts with the theatre and performance scene, but through her indomitable spirit and courage.
Long-time friend Toni Tapp Coutts, who has known Sue since they were both girls, said she has given years of herself to Katherine and is a true community hero.
“I’ve always known her, but we became really good friends in 1995, within months we were putting on shows together.
“She’s run innumerable fashion parades, and has long been a business owner in Katherine.
“In the past two years Sue has re instigated the very popular ‘Carols by Candlelight’ at the Lindsay Street Complex which has attracted over 500 people with a wide range of local singers and schools contributing.
“Sue has done all the fundraising and organising at a financial cost to herself and taking time off from her job,” Mrs Tapp Coutts said.
“She has done 15 years or so with the Katherine Festival (including putting on this year’s Main Event), plus starlight movie musicals at Sport and Rec - it’s always been a passion in her life.”
Mrs Tapp Coutts said volunteering for the arts put Sue’s creative strengths to good use.
“It’s a town where if you want to do something, people just embrace it.
“For us, it’s giving back to the place we live in, as well as providing a creative and artistic outlet.”
A mother who has endured the pain of losing a son, a tenacious business and home owner who rebuilt after losing everything in the 1998 floods, Mrs Tapp Coutts said her friend is a constant source of inspiration.
“She is a wonderful lady,” Mrs Tapp Coutts said.
“I admire her loyalty and her inner strength, her courage to stand up for what she believes in, and how fiercely loyal she is.”
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.
View some of our past community heroes: