Facts: - profession: agricultural consultant , farmer - residence: indigo valley , victoria - parliament: australian - party: independent - constituency mp: indi - predecessor: sophie mirabella - term start: 7 september 2013 - birth date: 29 november 1953 - name: cathy mcgowan - nationality: australian - website: -lsb- http://www.cathymcgowan.com.au cathymcgowan.com.au -rsb- - majority: 0.25 % - birth place: albury , new south wales , australia - occupation: politician Based on these bullet points, write a short biography describing the life of cathy mcgowan -lrb- politician -rrb- .
The answer to this question is:
catherine '' cathy '' mcgowan ao -lrb- born 29 november 1953 -rrb- is an australian politician and independent mp for the rural victorian seat of indi since the 2013 federal election , defeating liberal mp sophie mirabella .in 2004 she was made an officer of the order of australia '' for service to the community through raising awareness of and stimulating debate about issues affecting women in regional , rural and remote areas . ''mcgowan was also a recipient of the centenary medal in 2001 .mcgowan has a masters in applied science in agricultural and rural development from the university of western sydney .