MEDIA RELEASE
097.09
12 November 2009
Green thumbs up for Northern Territory’s local hero
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) tonight congratulated
Katherine-based horticulturalist Norma Higgins for being named the Northern
Territory’s Local Hero in the lead-up to the 2010 Australian of the Year
Awards.
DIAC is once again proud to sponsor Australia’s Local Hero Award and to
celebrate the extraordinary work of ordinary Australians who make their local
community a better place. Next year is the 50th anniversary of the Australian
of the Year Awards.
Ms Higgins received the award for her active involvement in a number of
agriculture associations and her contribution to the NT agriculture industry
through the establishment of a local produce market in Katherine.
“Ms Higgins is an outstanding citizen who inspires us with the passion she has
for this country and its people,” a DIAC spokeswoman said.
“She established the Katherine community market, which has increased
profits for local farmers and had flow-on effects for tourism, training and
employment opportunities in the region.”
Ms Higgins is active in the Katherine Horticultural Association, NT’s Primary
Industries Training Advisory Council and was a founding member of the NT
Women in Agriculture and the Katherine Region Food Processing Group.
Her contributions to agriculture were also recognised with the 2008 NT Rural
Woman of the Year Award.
“Australia’s Local Hero Award acknowledges dedicated citizens such as
Norma who work tirelessly to make the lives of those around them that little bit
better,” the spokeswoman said.
“Our Local Heroes are extraordinary individuals whose passion and energy
strengthen our communities and encapsulate what it means to be Australian.”
The national Local Hero Award recipient will be announced in Canberra on
25 January 2010.
Media Enquiries: DIAC National Communications 02 6264 2244
Australian of the Year Awards & National Australia Day Council Media
Enquiries: Nicole Browne 02 9954 7677 or 0414 673 762
NORTHERN TERRITORY’S LOCAL HERO
Norma Higgins
Katherine
Horticulturalist
Norma Higgins is a passionate cook and mango grower who decided to create
an opportunity for local farmers and set up a weekly market in Katherine. The
market has increased tourism and profits for local growers, whose produce
was mostly being shipped south. It has delivered tangible self-sustaining
economic activity, employment, vocational education and training outcomes.
Norma has also been involved in the Katherine Horticultural Association since
its inception, is actively involved with the Primary Industries Training Advisory
Council and is a founding member of her local group of NT Women in
Agriculture. Her love of cooking led her and other Katherine women to form
the Katherine Region Food Processing Group and obtain a grant to set up a
commercial, community kitchen for locals to make their products. In 2008,
Norma Higgins won the NT Rural Woman of the Year Award which recognises
the vital contribution women make to rural Australia.
NEWS 
