Catherine Davani facts for kids

Catherine Anne Davani (born June 3, 1960 – died November 4, 2016) was an important judge from Papua New Guinea. She made history by becoming the very first woman to serve as a judge on the Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea. She held this important position from 2001 until she passed away.

Early Life and Education

Catherine Davani was born in a place called Wau in the Morobe Province of Papua New Guinea. Later, her family moved to Dorom in the Rigo District of Central Province.

She attended Kerevat National High School near Rabaul. After high school, she went on to study law at the University of Papua New Guinea. In 1984, she finished her legal training.

Becoming a Lawyer

In November 1984, Catherine Davani officially became a lawyer. She started her career working in the Public Solicitors' Office. This office helps people with legal issues.

She later studied in Australia from 1987 to 1988. She earned a special master's degree in law from the University of Sydney. After her studies, she returned to Port Moresby. She worked for several law firms before being appointed as a judge.

A Judge on the Supreme Court

In 2001, Catherine Davani was chosen to be a judge. This was a very big moment for Papua New Guinea. She became the first woman ever to serve on the country's highest court, the Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea. She served as a judge until her death in 2016.

Passion for Sports

Beyond her legal career, Catherine Davani was also very active in sports. She loved playing soccer. She played at local, national, and even international levels.

She proudly represented Papua New Guinea in three major soccer tournaments. These were the Oceania Football Confederation World Cup qualifiers. She was even the captain of the Papua New Guinea women's national football team in the 1994 and 1998 qualifiers.

Davani was also involved in sports leadership. She was a member of the Papua New Guinea Sports Commission. She also served as an executive member and vice-president of the Papua New Guinea Football Association. In 2001, she joined an international group that helps settle disputes in football. Later, she became Papua New Guinea's representative on the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Family and Legacy

Catherine Davani was married to John Davani. They had four children together.

She passed away in November 2016 in a hospital in Brisbane, Australia. Her funeral and a special Supreme Court ceremony were held in Port Moresby on November 14. Catherine Davani is remembered for her groundbreaking work as a judge and her dedication to sports.