21 March, 2023
Shiver me timbers: Katrina the wood chopping nurse
WHEN at work Katrina Head is Caboolture Hospital’s Elective Surgery Coordinator, but outside of work she a professional athlete representing Australia in wood chopping.
As the Elective Surgery Coordinator, the mother of three ensures all operations and procedures are booked with doctors, theatre team, and patients are ready and prepared for their surgery dates.
Outside of work, she is passionate about the sport of wood chopping – having been introduced to it by her father when she was just 16 years old.
“I met my husband through this sport, he too is a wood chopper, and we had three little wood choppers who also love to compete, she said.
Katrina has competed across Australia and New Zealand, including the Australian Women’s Stihl Timbersports Series and a number of South East Queensland shows.
Before she started nursing and had her three children, Katrina competed for Australia in the first Australian Women’s Woodchopping Team for four years.
She has since gone on to claim bronze medals at both the 2021 and 2023 Australian Women’s Stihl Timbersports Championships.
Before starting her university studies, Katrina worked as a builder’s labourer.
She then studied a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba, and completed a Graduate Certificate in Intensive Care Nursing.
Katrina went on to work at Redcliffe Hospital for 10 years, specialising in Intensive Care Nursing.
“I have worked at Caboolture Hospital since 2018, where I commenced as a Nurse Educator. Since 2021, I have worked as the Elective Surgery Coordinator, whilst also running a firewood business with my husband.”
Katrina said “wood chopping has given me drive and passion across both my work and my sport” and she is proud to see her husband and children compete and succeed in the sport as well.
