Mayor White was born and raised in Blackall and went on to complete her senior at St. Ursula’s College, Yeppoon. After graduating, her first job was as an office trainee with the Winton Shire Council, followed by other office positions in the Winton area and Mount Isa.

She and her husband Peter have raised a family on the historic Athelstane station, which has been owned by the White family since the 1915.

Cathy has always been passionate about the Winton community and has served on several community committees, mostly in executive positions notably Isolated Children’s Parents Association (ICPA) , St. Patricks P&F, Winton Community and Aged Care Services Inc as well as DRCA, CWA  and the Winton Camel Committee. She has also served on the Agforce Cattle Board and is also a member of the Great Artesian Basin Stakeholder Advisory Committee (GABSAC) as well as Queensland Dog Offensive Group (QDOG).

Having always been passionate about the Winton community, Council was the natural next step for Cathy, and she was elected as a Councillor in 2020. In 2024, she was elected mayor.