Catherine Hutchesson

Catherine Hutchesson MP has called the Mitcham Hills home for almost her entire life and it’s where her heart will always be. As the State Member for Waite in the South Australian Parliament, she carries the voices of her community with her into every debate, every meeting and every decision.

As a single mum, Catherine has worked hard to create opportunities for her now 22 year old son and she is incredibly proud of what he has achieved. 

Catherine’s life has always been about rolling up her sleeves and getting involved. Both Catherine and her son are volunteer Senior Firefighters with the Upper Sturt CFS, ready to respond when the siren calls.

She’s been President of her local CWA branch and Vice-President of the Upper Sturt Soldiers Memorial Hall, she knows the value of bringing people together over shared stories, cups of tea and community projects. She even helped launch the area’s first Parkrun, knowing that a simple Saturday morning jog can spark friendships and healthy habits.

Her professional background in workplace safety and public policy has given her the tools to turn local concerns into action, securing upgrades for schools, restoring the Belair Railway Station Heritage Shelter, advocating for road and intersection upgrades, including Russell Street/Main Road, Shepherds Hill Road/Waite Street, the Belair Road retaining walls and the long needed Pedestrian activated crossing outside Coromandel Valley Primary School. 

She worked with residents to protect more than 150 trees from being lost to a proposed $20 million roundabout and is always quick to support local volunteers with the work they do. With the support of Blackwood Action Group she has even launched a local community newspaper - full of local Waite stories written by local people, for locals!

Catherine supports many of the local sporting clubs, not only assisting them with grant applications, upgrades to playing facilities and fundraising, but also volunteering and cheering them on from the sideline.

Catherine’s proudest achievements are the ones that start with a conversation and end with real change. She led South Australia’s first parliamentary inquiry into endometriosis, delivering a report that will influence health, education and industrial relations policy across the state into the future. 

She’s championed green corridors, organised and hosted countless bushfire preparedness and Wellness Education forums, and partnered with locals to transform Glenalta and Belair railway stations with art and greenery.

And while her work takes her across the electorate, she never forgets the importance of opening doors - literally. Catherine has taken the time to welcome over 1,300 students and 900 community members to Parliament House, guiding them through its halls and sharing how their voices can help shape the laws of our state.

For Catherine, leadership is about listening, working together and getting things done. It’s about protecting the places we love, it’s about bringing people together and always making sure everyone in Waite has the chance to be heard. 

Catherine and her team work hard for the people of Waite with a welcoming smile and a can do attitude, together they are building a resilient community!