For the past three years, Cathy has served as a Paramedic with St John NT, providing critical care to the Katherine community and surrounding region. In a relatively short time, she has established herself as a highly respected clinician, mentor, and advocate for inclusion and wellbeing.
Alongside her frontline responsibilities, Cathy has undertaken Peer Support Officer training, enabling her to provide vital support to colleagues facing the unique challenges of working in emergency services. Through her clinical practice, mentorship, peer support work, and advocacy for minority groups, she has made a significant and lasting contribution to both her organisation and the community she serves.
Cathy’s story reflects the very essence of St John. She is deeply committed to treating every person with dignity, respect, and compassion, creating environments where patients, colleagues, and community members feel safe, heard, and valued. Her dedication to fostering inclusive, judgement-free spaces demonstrates a holistic approach to care that recognises the importance of both physical and emotional wellbeing.
The impact of Cathy’s work extends far beyond her clinical duties. Through her patient-centred approach, she helps ensure that people from all backgrounds feel respected and supported during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Within the workplace, her role as a mentor and Peer Support Officer has strengthened staff wellbeing and contributed to a culture where people feel comfortable seeking support, sharing experiences, and learning from one another. Her influence has helped create a more inclusive and psychologically safe environment, strengthening teamwork, enhancing resilience, and ultimately improving outcomes for both staff and patients.
Cathy’s story also highlights a reality that is often overlooked: many of the most meaningful contributions women make in healthcare occur behind the scenes. Emotional support, advocacy for vulnerable people, mentorship, and the creation of safe and welcoming environments may not always be formally recognised, yet they have a profound impact on individuals, teams, and communities. By sharing stories such as Cathy’s, we acknowledge the vital role women play in shaping not only healthcare services, but also the cultures that sustain them.
For the next generation of women in St John, Cathy offers a powerful example of leadership in action. Her journey demonstrates that leadership is not defined solely by position or title, but by the way we treat and support others. Through her compassion, advocacy, and commitment to inclusion, she shows that empathy and kindness are strengths that can transform workplaces, strengthen communities, and inspire meaningful change. Her story reminds us that some of the most enduring contributions are made through everyday acts that help others feel respected, safe, and valued.
St John Ambulance Australia acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities on the Traditional Lands on which we work Australia wide. We acknowledge the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the Canberra region, where our Australian Office is based. We pay our respects to elders past and present. At St John Ambulance, we are an inclusive organisation. We welcome and respect people that come from all backgrounds, cultures, religions, genders, sexualities, bodies, and abilities. Access to First Aid and its knowledge are fundamental human rights. Every person deserves access to life saving support, no matter who they are.
St John Ambulance Australia’s nationally recognised accredited courses are delivered by way of third-party arrangement with other organisations (for example, with our St John States and Territories). These St John states and territories (except WA) are authorised to deliver nationally recognised and accredited training on behalf of St John Ambulance Australia Ltd (RTO 88041).
St John Ambulance Australia acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities on the Traditional Lands on which we work Australia wide. We acknowledge the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the Canberra region, where our Australian Office is based. We pay our respects to elders past and present. At St John Ambulance, we are an inclusive organisation. We welcome and respect people that come from all backgrounds, cultures, religions, genders, sexualities, bodies, and abilities. Access to First Aid and its knowledge are fundamental human rights. Every person deserves access to life saving support, no matter who they are.
St John Ambulance Australia’s nationally recognised accredited courses are delivered by way of third-party arrangement with other organisations (for example, with our St John State and Territory agents). These agents (except WA) are authorised to deliver nationally recognised and accredited training on behalf of St John Ambulance Australia Ltd (RTO 88041).
