From Santa to Service – Danielle’s Journey of Community, Connection and Challenge
From local government and community engagement to board leadership and fundraising for cancer research, Danielle Cattalini (1986) has built a life centred on service, connection and making a positive difference. A proud past student and past parent of Santa Maria, Danielle reflects on the experiences and values that have shaped her journey, and the special role Santa Maria has played in her family’s story. She also shares what inspired her and fellow alumni Tundra Pickett (Silverlock, 1986) to take on the Shitbox Rally in 2026 as Team Santa’s Little Helpers.
Tell us about your journey since leaving Santa Maria College
I’ve had a broad and varied career. After completing a Bachelor of Business, I travelled overseas with four of my Santa Maria friends, then returned to manage Clancy’s Fish Pub in Fremantle for a couple of years. I headed off again, travelling through Ireland and Africa, before moving to Karratha to work in tourism. That was followed by nine years in marketing and centre management for a shopping centre in Karratha with the head office based in Melbourne. Along the way I had my two children, Piper and Jonas Brown, and now work in local government corporate services primarily overseeing customer service, communications and marketing, and stakeholder engagement.
Throughout all of those years, my passion for people and service and the Mercy values has kept me involved in a number of community groups and organisations.
Tell us about your role at the City of South Perth and how your work impacts the local community?
Local government is the tier of government closest to the people as it is accessible, community focused, and impacts people’s day-to-day life. With such a broad range of services, my role touches many areas, from governance, infrastructure, planning and parks to community development, urban greening, stakeholder and government relations, and of course customer service and communications and marketing. I love the variety, the people I get to work with, and the positive impact we can have.
I’m also proud to contribute beyond my day-to-day role through board work. I serve on the Board of St Patrick’s Community Support Centre, whose mission is to end homelessness, and on the Perth Football League, which supports 74 clubs and more than 12,000 players including the continued growth of women and girls in AFL and the positive impact that has across the community. The Mercy value of service is an important part of my life.
What has it meant to you personally to be both an alumni and a parent of a Santa Maria student?
Being both an alumni and a parent of a Santa Maria student has been a meaningful way to stay connected to the school. My daughter Piper Brown attended from 2011 to 2018, creating her own memories and friendships. We’re proud she is now a doctor, and the College played an important role in laying the foundations for her to achieve this goal.
Santa Maria has always been part of our family story, with five of my sisters and many cousins also attending the College, and it was special to see Piper continue that family tradition. I served on the Old Girls committee for several years, which allowed me to give back to the community and stay connected to the College, still guided by the Mercy spirit and the legacy of Catherine McAuley.
What inspired you and Tundra to enter the Shitbox Rally this year?
The Shitbox Rally is a fundraiser for the Cancer Council. It’s not a race, but a challenge, and Tundra and I are taking part in the Autumn Rally, driving a car worth less than $1,500 from Port Douglas to Melbourne from 1 – 10 May 2026, on a mix of sealed and unsealed roads.
We love a challenge, and after walking the Portuguese Camino together a few years ago, I asked Tundra if she’d be interested in doing the Shitbox Rally with me. Cancer has touched both our families, and this felt like a meaningful way to raise funds, build awareness, and have fun along the way.
We were also incredibly lucky to have a car donated to us for the rally. It is a 2001 Holden Vectra from Marlene Edwards, whose three daughters – Jacquie Annette, and Michelle also attended Santa Maria.
Is there a story behind your team’s name Santa’s Little Helpers?
Yes, our name is a nod to our Santa Maria connection and the community spirit that comes with it. We wanted something fun, recognisable, and a little bit cheeky while still reflecting the idea of helping others.
What’s been the most exciting part of preparing for the rally?
So far, it’s been all of it. Getting the car ready for the rally has been a steep learning curve (and there have been plenty of laughs), and the fundraising has been especially rewarding as people’s generosity is amazing. Knowing the challenge ahead is completely out of our comfort zone makes it even more exciting. We also recently completed a ‘Women on Tools’ introductory mechanics short course, which was fantastic. Now we just have to raise a little more money and make it to the starting line!
What are you most looking forward to about the rally when the engines start in May?
We are looking forward to the moment it all begins setting off together, meeting the other teams, and tackling the challenge from start to finish. Like the Camino it will be a chance to slow down, be present, and remember why we’re doing it – to support others and contributing to something bigger than ourselves. And of course, seeing parts of Australia you don’t usually get to see will be a bonus. The Cancer Council does incredible work funding vital research and support services, and this is our chance to contribute with all donations we raise going directly to cancer research.
Once the rally’s done, what’s next on the horizon for you and Tundra, another adventure, or back to everyday life?
Once it’s done, I’m sure we’ll both need a good sleep and then we’ll see what adventure calls next. At the moment, I’m planning a trip to Canada in July to visit my son, Jonas, who’s currently working in Lake Louise on the snowfields and Tundra is going to visit her daughter Darcy in London. Tundra and I are also thinking about the Japanese Camino in 2027. And, of course, we’ll be happy to return to everyday life knowing we’ve done something challenging and helped raise funds for a cause that matters. Oh, and I will be going to back to my fulltime work and other commitments!!
How can our community get behind you if they’d like to help?
The biggest help is donating, sharing our fundraising page, or spreading the word through your networks. If you’d like to support us, you can donate here. We’re also grateful for any in-kind support or sponsorship. You can also follow our journey (and donate) on Facebook: Santa Little Helpers – Shitbox Challenge 2026
Through her service to community organisations and her fundraising for the Cancer Council, Danielle continues to live the Mercy values in practical and meaningful ways. As she and Tundra prepare to take on the Shitbox Rally, this is a wonderful reminder of the power of friendship, community and giving back. We wish them every success for the journey ahead and look forward to cheering on Santa’s Little Helpers as they help make a difference.
- Featured
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
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