Kathy was humbled to be a NSW State finalist for the 2016 NSW Women of the Year Awards

She was nominated in the category for the A.H. Beard Community Hero Award celebrates heroes and/or volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to the community.

These women are positive role models who inspire others to contribute to the community too.

"Kathy is the co-founder of the Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation (TKYF), a charity fostering a more responsible drinking culture through education and initiatives targeting youth, families, sporting groups, and the broader community, as well as through strong advocacy to local, state and federal government.

Take care is what we say to our loved ones when we say goodbye. Building on this, and using Thomas’ initials, Take Kare is the Foundation’s central platform to instigate behavioural and social change around alcohol and drinking habits. The TKYF raised $1.4 million for a TAKE KARE Safe Space operating in Sydney’s CBD and Darlinghurst on Friday and Saturday nights.

Take Kare volunteers in high-vis jackets assist in defusing conflict, stopping sexual assault and helping intoxicated young people. Since December 2014 there has been over 15,000 preventive interactions to support the vision of ‘getting all of our children home safely’. Parents will never know that their sons and daughters are home safe and sound as a result of this program.

Kathy is a devoted ambassador for this cause and her voice has resonated across many communities and families in NSW giving the need for change a face and a call to action creating positive outcomes".