QRMFN 2022 Backbone of the Bush Award Winner Announced!

25 June 2022

Qrmfn2022 Award Winner Cathy Halliday 01 V2 01

​Queensland Rural Medical Family Network's 2022 Backbone of the Bush Award Winner was announced at the recent RDAQ Annual Conference. The President of the Queensland Rural Medical Family Network presented the award to the very deserving Cathy Halliday.

The Backbone of the Bush Award recognises the often-invisible work partners and spouses do behind the scenes to support their medical practitioner, but also the many hours they contribute to their rural community.

Cathy Halliday has consistently worked to support her spouse and rural community throughout the 18 years she has lived in rural areas, from Dalby to Stanthorpe.

Cathy has been involved in a wide variety of community organisations from education and sporting to the arts. In her early days in Stanthorpe, she wrote grants applications for new play equipment, attended working bees, and regularly mowed and gardened to improve the facilities at Kindy. She has been the treasurer at the local State Primary School for the last 12 years and was recognised for her outstanding contribution with a Commonwealth Bank Not-For-Profit Treasurers’ Award in 2021. Last year Cathy trained to become a swimming teacher after the local swimming pool struggled to provide lessons due to a lack of teachers. Junior Cricket and the Stanthorpe United Football Club have also benefitted from her involvement as part of the committee, setting up before training and even coaching when needed. The Border District Eisteddfod has also been grateful for her help over the years.

At home Cathy is the primary carer for their three children and has fed myriads of students, often at very short notice, and once even on Mother’s Day!

Cathy is the ultimate quiet achiever, is incredibly generous with her time and is a very well deserving winner of this award. Congratulations Cathy!

Image credit: Rural Doctors Association of Queensland