INTRODUCING CAT PARKER
From winning Twitter’s Golden Tweet to her current board roles, Cat Parker brings global leadership expertise to our RSL. This golf enthusiast with perfect recall dreams of Antarctica. With deep military family connections, she came to our RSL for ANZAC Day two-up but stayed for the mateship.
How long have you been a member of our Club?
A couple of years now, though it feels like I’ve been part of the furniture forever. I first wandered in chasing a game of two-up on ANZAC Day, but I stuck around for the camaraderie, the coffee truck, and the kind of mateship you don’t find just anywhere. The highlight was singing (badly?) along with Peter Barnes while his friend played the piano. Great memories.
What prompted you to join?
My connection to the RSL runs deep—my grandfather served in Papua New Guinea, and my great-grandfather made the ultimate sacrifice in Belgium during WWI. I also have cousins who I’ve always felt it’s our duty to honour their legacy, but it wasn’t until Ted Baillieu showed me the WWI registry at the Camberwell RSL that I truly understood my great-grandfather’s role, and I found it incredibly moving. This club is more than just a venue; it’s a guardian of history, a hub for mateship, and a pillar of support for those who’ve served and their families. The dedication of our volunteers is nothing short of remarkable, and I’m proud to be part of such a special community.
What is your current occupation?
I’ve spent my career leading private and publicly listed businesses in Board roles and as an Executive General Manager, helping them grow, and making sure customers have the best possible experience—whether in retail, logistics, AI/robotics or even the wholesale. These days, I’m just as passionate about good conversations, great community spirit, and sharing a drink at the RSL with mates who have a story to tell.
What advice would you give someone who wants to enter your field/follow in your footsteps?
Find something that genuinely interests you – because if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. You spend more time at work than anywhere else, so make sure it’s something that excites you, challenges you, and keeps you curious. The rewards – whether financial, personal, or professional – always follow passion and persistence. And above all, back yourself – no one else will do it for you.
What’s something about you (a fun fact) that few people know?
I have an uncanny ability to remember completely useless facts—hundreds of phone numbers from the 90s, random facts about wild animals, verbatim conversations from 10 years ago. If only this talent applied to remembering where I left my car keys!
What’s the last book you read/podcast you listened to?
There’s two and they couldn’t be more different:
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey—a wild mix of life lessons, adventure, and just the right amount of Texas charm. It’s part memoir, part philosophy, and full of stories that prove sometimes the best plan is no plan at all—just roll with the punches and enjoy the ride.
Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari—an eye-opening look at how history, technology, and human nature collide to shape our future. It’s the kind of book that is more relevant now than ever, and predicted the role social media would play in politics. It makes you rethink what you know and question what’s coming next—perfect for anyone who enjoys a good dose of perspective with their morning coffee.
What is your favourite hobby/leisure activity?
I attempt to play golf, but my real talent lies in the post-game analysis over a long lunch. Let’s just say my handicap is ‘enthusiasm.’
What’s the next place on your travel bucket list?
Antarctica’s on the list, not for the comfort, but for the sheer novelty. It’s a place where few venture, and even fewer stay long. Penguins, seals, and the kind of isolation you don’t get in the office. I might not see it in its current form forever, what with the world changing around it—but that’s precisely why it calls to me. To witness a world so raw, so untouched. And who knows? A few months of living on the edge of the Earth might just put a different spin on things.
If you had to eat one food every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
If I had to pick one meal, it would be Southeast Asian cuisine without a doubt—Malaysian, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Thai, you name it. The balance of fresh flavours, spice, and simplicity never gets old. It’s food that excites the palate and not something I can make at home.”
What’s one item you can’t live without?
My phone—it’s my lifeline. From conversation to geographical navigation, I wouldn’t know where I’m going or what I’m doing without it. Losing it? Well, that’s simply not an option!
