Community sits at the core of what makes us human. It begins with birth, and ends with death, a cycle enriched by community. For community to thrive we need a place for conversation, connection and compassion. Catherine works to reclaim our understanding of birth and death, building community around these life events, and bridging the time between. Catherine is the Birth Cartographer and creator of The Birth Map, An innovative approach to birth preparation. She is undertaking her PhD to evaluate the potential of The Birth Map in facilitating communication and decision making in maternity services.As a community activator, Catherine has been summed up in three words: birth, death and playgrounds. In addition to being a birth doula, she completed Death Walker training with Zenith Virago, after seeing the parallels with birth care and now sits on the board for not-for-profit Tender Funerals Canberra Region. The alignment with birth cartography is reflected in the importance of the experience of dying and death being embraced and the options explained and supported. Catherine is an active maternity consumer advocate, sitting on the board of Maternal Health Matters, and Board Member and ACT President of Maternity Choices Australia.And the playgrounds? With the Braidwood Community Association, I helped secure a fabulous new intergenerational playground: a combination of community spirit, diplomacy and grant success. This success was repeated with the Braidwood ‘Respect’ Skatepark, where I undertook the treasurer role in my capacity with Braidwood Youth Performing Arts Association.