March 1 - 7, 2023
Extraordinary adventure brings clarity By BELINDA HARRISON
TOMORROW may never exist. That might sound like a pessimistic way to look at the world, but for Leonie Katekar, it is a mantra that encourages positive thoughts about living each day to the fullest and valuing and loving each day we are given. Tragedy struck at the heart of Leonie’s family when Leonie was 15; her sister Ann was killed in a terrible car accident the first night she went out by herself after getting her licence. Ann was just 17 years old and Leonie’s parents never forgave themselves. As if the loss of one of child/sibling was not enough, almost 10 years to the day, Leonie’s younger brother John was also killed in a car accident. Their mother did not cope and soon the family lost her as well. “Everyone has tragedies in their lives which are invisible to people that you meet,” Leonie said. “Even some of your friends don’t find out some of these deeply hidden things for a long time. “Losing my siblings were two of my most significant tragedies and I felt that life was uncertain - tomorrow may never exist; each day needed to be valued and loved.” Since those dark days, Leonie has called almost every state of Australia home: born in South Australia, attending university in New South Wales, working and living in Tasmania and the Northern Territory and now calling Victoria home. “My children were born in Tassie and grew up in Darwin, when they moved to Melbourne for university I moved to Melbourne too, but I don’t like the big cities,” Leonie said. “As a family, we decided that the North East of Victoria region was the best for holidaying together so we bought a one acre property in Wandiligong, however, when I came up to get the keys, I loved it so much that myself and my Jack Russell, Osada, haven’t left. “The longer I am here the more I love the landscape and also the people.
◆ GOING HER OWN WAY: Leonie Katekar’s solo adventure is a fascinating tale. PHOTO: Brodie Everist
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