Growing up in Leonora, Kalgoorlie, Coolgardie, Wiluna and Newman, Catherine has close ties to her community. A mother of three, she previously worked at an alcohol and drug rehabilitation clinic and wanted to help young people from an early age.
“I don’t ever want to see our kids end up in rehab. I wanted a role where I can make a difference early on - to help them choose a better path and make the most of life,” Catherine said.
In her role, Catherine supports young people through court processes, connects them with services like the Aboriginal Legal Service, and works closely with local networks to ensure they get the help they need.
“I can’t always have eyes on them 24/7, but I stay connected with services to make sure they’re supported.”
Catherine provides language translation for young people and their families if required, helping improve communication and cultural understanding.
“It’s rewarding to help young people build self-confidence and understand their self-worth. If I can make a small difference, it means a lot to me.”
Catherine also helps connect young people with family members across regional WA, and promotes the importance of cultural connection and safety.
“Understanding where they come from is important. I help them find family and build those connections.”
When asked what skills are important for her role, Catherine said:
“Patience, understanding, resilience and empathy.”
Outside of work, Catherine enjoys spending time on Country with her husband and close-knit family, hunting, prospecting and fishing.
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