On
July 1rst 2015 Cathy Gourbault Lawrence was
honoured and awarded by Lionel Beffre High Commissioner of the French Republic,
KNIGHT in the FRENCH NATIONAL ORDER OF MERIT in recognition of high dedication
and commitment in the community for 36 years.
Cathy
was born in Paris, spent all her youth
in Perpignan (French Spanish border) before moving to Brittany and to Tahiti.
She was raised with very strong public values, where hard work and sport were
the foundations;
Very
early she was involved in swimming at national and international
level thanks to her father who was her coach and mentor. Cathy’s father
was a fireman officer who died on duty in the the South of France at the age of
46. All her life she has tried to follow
his path; serving as a fire woman for 5 years,
being a life guard for 18 summer seasons on the southern France beaches,
volunteering as a first aid instructor. She managed to graduate at Uni at the
same time two BA bachelors in French and
English.
all her working life since 1986 Cathy has been
dedicated to adult training.
Cathy
created and has managed her very successful training and coaching business in
human resources and management for 21 years in French Polynesia.
Besides
her business Cathy has been heavily involved in Junior Chamber international
(Jaycees) for 13 years reaching all the
levels of the NGO and being one of the 17 world vice presidents in 2001 and
being awarded Outstanding World Vice President. Cathy is a JCI international
graduate trainer, a JCI senator and held
the office of JCI senate group president in French Polynesia.
Cathy
joined Rotary in 2003 and has held many positions including club president,
assistant governor (3 years) and has ran
many projects including two Rotary major
projects in French Polynesia , an 18k swim in the ocean between two islands Tahiti & Moorea for 10 years, and co organized with the Australian consulate
the Anzac day and Papeete project 2015.
She has been involved in the Rotary leadership institute, was awarded by Rotary
international a PR prize in 2009 and is a 3 sapphire PHF
Cathy
has been since 2011 a councilor of exterior trade for France (CCEF) and has been a board member of a wine
club in Tahiti (AOC) for 15 years.
At
a personnal level, Cathy has for 18 years
lived her life between Tahiti and Nagambie where she married Hugh
Lawrence in 2002.
Cathy
created a new business 18 months ago, La Galerie de Nagambie which sells collectables,
antiques and art works.
What
drives her ? She never stops, and has
always pushed her limits aiming at new dreams, new challenges and new goals.
Her strong values, her determination, her
optimistic bone have always been supported by her beloved ones (families and
friends); Without Hugh’s love and ongoing support she would not have been able
to achieve, to grow and to blossom. Hugh’s love and support have allowed her to
be herself and to serve the community
(whether in JC or in Rotary). This recognition is also dedicated to Hugh.
Serving
the community is being part of this school of friendship where you meet some
special people who will play a key role in your life and will give you the
energy, the faith and the will to follow your dreams and push your limits
further and further.
The
official ceremony in French Polynesia at
the High Commissioners residence was a great evening full of emotions, where friends
and Hugh were gathered for a very unique moment.
Cathy
has been so blessed to be honoured with such a prestigious national award. Surely
her dad would have been so proud.
Last
Saturday Hugh organized at the Nagambie Bowling Club a fantastic surprise party to celebrate the French Order of Merit Award
and Cathy’s birthday with family and friends.
Special
moments of pride for a special award.
