Elizabeth Hart

Community fundraiser and volunteer

2024 NT Senior Australian of the Year Nominee

For 13 years, Elizabeth (Bess) Hart has been an amazing support for community fundraising in Katherine. Her annual Newhaven Biggest Morning Tea for Cancer Council NT is a high point in the town’s calendar. She started off inviting family and neighbours, then it grew. Over 13 years of Morning Teas, she’s raised a total of $103,000.  

Bess has always done whatever she can to help others. As well as fundraising for cancer research, she’s assisted Rural Aid to support farmers doing it tough. She is also active with the Salvation Army and the National Trust.  

Bess and her late husband, Ted, moved to Katherine’s outskirts in 2008, after they sold Hodgson River cattle station, their home of 35 years. These days she’s a local, regularly entering her cooking in the Katherine Show, and wouldn’t live anywhere else. It’s the community spirit in Katherine that motivates her to keep giving back.