Kathryn, 49, was educated on the Central Coast and later completed an adult matriculation at Newcastle University.

She has continually studied and completed numerous courses at TAFE and has an absolute thirst for knowledge.

If she doesn't know something or know where it is she will research it and obtain the answers, whether for her benefit or for the benefit of someone else.

In 1981 Kathryn met her future husband Colin, who she married in January 1984.

Kathryn has worked in numerous roles; one of her first was at News Limited starting as a copy girl.

She was actually the first copy girl for News Limited and held a number of positions with News Ltd during her time there.

Later she worked for the Westpac Bank and was transferred to Forster in 1993.

Kathryn and her two girls moved to Tuncurry without Colin for approximately three months, while he was awaiting his transfer in the police to Taree.

They moved into their house at Diamond Beach in 1994 and still reside there today.

Kathy left Westpac and worked for the Commonwealth Bank for some time.

She was later offered a position with the local doctor's surgery and commenced work there as a receptionist. After purchasing the Diamond Beach Newsagency Kathryn resigned from the doctors and joined her husband Colin in the family business.

Just recently she has commenced work outside of the newsagency with a local employer.

Kathryn has two daughters who are very competent and knowledgeable young women and two beautiful grand children who keep her busy and who she adores.

In the past three and a half years Kathryn has had three strokes, the last two just seven months ago.

Partly due to her positive attitude and self determination she has thankfully recovered with little or no side effects.

A lot of stroke victims aren't as fortunate and Kathryn now has a new passion to help other stroke survivors and make people more aware of the effects of stroke not only on the old but young people as well.

With her new found love of running and after her second and third stroke she decided to run and raise money for the Stroke Foundation and the Hunter Medical Research Team so that they can assist people who have had strokes and to make everyone more aware of the indicators of stroke.

At this stage Kathryn has raised about $2500 and she is currently taking part in a research project with the Hunter Medical Research Team at Newcastle University.

Kathryn plans to continue her efforts to aid research into the prevention of stroke and the promotion of stroke awareness.