Cate Wilson - A Strong Champion for Thirroul

It seems that Thirroul is losing a few too many strong women lately this November 2012, firstly my own mother Joan Lois Adams (nee Callcott) on November 5 2012, followed by the indomitable Cate Wilson on November 17 2012.

I first heard of Cate in her role in the Thirroul Action Group in the early 1980's - fighting to save Thirroul from being overcome by a series of 3 storey walk-ups, and higher, of an unending series of unit block after unit block and even what seemed then to be ever encroaching risk of high rise development. I had just moved back to Bulli and my mother, Joan Adams (nee Callcott), showed me some community newsletters put out by the Thirroul Action Group. In the north we were so lucky to have her fighting to preserve the character of the area, when it was under such serious threats.

Around 1984 I encountered Cate when we went to debate the future of South Thirroul when it was destined to be overrun by coal transport facilities including  40 metre high coal storage bins. It was clear that Cate was forthright in her opinions and did not suffer fools at all. I recall being at her home towards the late 1980's as we battled on for the South Thirroul area. Cate and partner Eric Wilson were actively involved in CANS, Community Alliance for the Northern Suburbs - a Coalition of Community Groups established by then Alderman David Martin.

Also in the late 1980's, Cate was fighting with Anna Whelan to save the Maternity Ward at Bulli Hospital, whilst partner Eric  was fighting on a different front to achieve better planning outcomes for the northern Illawarra.

Cate and her partner Eric were strong supporters of the Active Community Team that David Martin had initiated with Arthur and Jelly Osborne.

Cate and Eric continued to battle the war of attrition that seems to be inevitable in community politics - you win won round but the issue just keeps bouncing back again and again.

Around 2000 the Sandon Point debate had morphed towards a broad social movement that the local Wollongong City Council totally failed to appreciate. The internet and email facilitated collaboration across so many different community groups. This period saw the establishment of the Sandon Picket Line and the Aboriginal Tent Embassy of which aimed to protect the Sandon Point area from development. Cate Wilson became one of the leading members of the Sandon Point Picket, which unfortunately burned down after a number of years.

In the 1980's Cate, and partner Eric, had restored a beautiful old home on Cliff Parade on McCauleys Hill in Thirroul. I recall some friends would refer to the house as "the one that had been done up by the two teachers" - Cate was a teacher of the Deaf and a strong member of the Teachers Federation.

Cate also painted beautiful watercolours of the northern suburbs area - I have a small one that is evocative of  the coast from Thirroul up to Coalcliff, looking up from  Norfolk Island Pines towards the cliffs. I also marvelled at the beautiful hand-knitted items that Cate often wore - another indicator of her talents ?

I doubt anyone ever ever intimidated Cate. She was always forthright in her views and you knew where you stood with her. An amazingly strong and inspiring woman.