The Muswellbrook mother was recognised for her tireless dedication, despite her own ill health, to her daughter Casey who has the extremely rare genetic condition Alfi Syndrome. Widowed very young, Cathy was left to raise Casey alone.

The devastating diagnosis of Casey’s condition threw Cathy into a tail-spin. The young mum was told that her beautiful daughter would never be able to walk, talk or read.

Cathy immediately gave up an excellent full-time job to spend every moment with Casey, giving her physiotherapy, speech and occupational therapy at home. Today Casey is a vibrant and gorgeous 14-year-old who can very ably walk and talk.

Cathy works three days a week as a legal conveyance and also works two nights a week at the Muswellbrook and Singleton PCYCs coordinating the Traffic Offenders Course.

In the true Steel Magnolia spirit, this busy “Super Mum” somehow finds the time to volunteer, seven days a week to Telecare which involves ringing frail and aged members of the Upper Hunter community to have a chat and to check that they are okay.

Cathy has also become a support and contact for new parents coming to terms with the diagnosis of their own children with Alfi Syndrome, providing counselling over the phone to parents across Australia.

Lifeline Newcastle & Hunter has been hosting the Steel Magnolia Award in Newcastle since 2004.

It was decided that to better include the wonderful women of the Greater Cessnock and Upper Hunter regions, Lifeline, along with major sponsor the Newcastle Permanent Building Society, would expand the award and create the Upper Hunter Steel Magnolia Award.

Cathy was presented with the award at the Upper Hunter Steel Magnolia Luncheon on Friday 11 July 2008 in front of 90 guests including her beautiful daughter Casey.

The guest speaker was Helen Wiseman, who is a partner with accounting firm KPMG, a dedicated community member and motivational speaker.

Mary Robinson was also recognised for her outstanding contribution in various areas to the Singleton community.