However, the third nomination came from a source which said
everything about Catherine Burn’s time in Redfern. It came from Aboriginal
leader Mickey Mundine. Also present at the media gathering and comfortably
talking with Catherine, was Gail Hickey, the mother of TJ Hickey.
As the SSH spoke with those present, it was said that
Commander Catherine Burn “changed the police culture in the area.” “She walks
among the people and chats with us so that we can get to know each other and
she can understand things better”. “She is often over at the Block to see the
good programs we are doing and listening to our ideas.”
None of this means that things are totally easy in
police-community relationships. However, as we have reported events, the staff
of the SSH have been very aware of police in general mingling
respectfully with people and have seen friendly conversations and the
unassuming presence of Catherine Burn at the centre of that.
Probably no-one is surprised that she has now been promoted
to the role of Assistant Police Commissioner, but we regret her going from us
after such a short time. The South Sydney Herald wishes you well,
Assistant Commissioner Catherine Burn, and we are sure that many South Sydney residents would join us in doing so. We
support your three nominations to be NSW Woman of the Year.
Source: South Sydney Herald February 2007