Catherine was born in Rockhampton in Central Queensland, and completed a Bachelor of Business and Graduate Diploma in Management at Central Queensland University and a Graduate Diploma in Intermodal Freight Systems Management at Victoria University.
After completing her first year at University full time, she changed to part time and started working for Queensland Rail. Thus, her long career in rail commenced. She has 27 years’ experience in the rail industry, including working for companies including Queensland Rail, Interail Australia, UGL, Aurizon and lately Metro Trains Melbourne, where she has held various executive roles. She moved away from the rail industry for nearly three years following her departure from Interail Australia and worked for Boral in trucking and then ran concrete plants and quarries.
Catherine spent 16 years in the Army Reserve, however the extensive travel involved in her role at Aurizon made parading difficult and she decided to join the inactive list in 2015..
She joined Metro Trains Melbourne (Metro) as the Executive Director People, reporting to the CEO in mid-October 2018. In this role she was responsible for all aspects of the HR function, as well as holding the role of CEO of the Registered Training Organisation “The Metro Academy”.
On 6th May 2019, her appointment to the role of Chief Operating Officer for Metro was announced. In this role she is responsible for all aspects of the passenger services in metropolitan Melbourne, including infrastructure, rollingstock, train and station operations.
Rotary has been a part of Catherine’s life since moving to Mackay in 2013, where she joined the Port of Mackay Rotary Club. While at the Club, she became a dab hand with a paint brush, and at turning sausages on a BBQ! When she relocated to Brisbane she joined the Rotary Club of Brisbane High Rise. While there she actively participated in many activities including supporting their Annual Art Show. It was there she met Keith McNeil who gave glowing accounts of his time with Rotary Club of Melbourne. Shortly after relocating to Melbourne in late 2018, she sought out the Club and was later invited to join.
Catherine and her partner, Jane, were married in September last year, having been together for eighteen years. They have one 19 year old son, Cole, who is in the Defence Force. They also have two small dogs, Lucy and Darcy. When Catherine isn’t working she enjoys the gym, reading, movies, new dining experiences and exploring the countryside.
She is a member of CPA Australia, Australian Institute of Managers and Leaders, Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Chartered Institute of Transport and Logistics.
