In 2013 Cathy McGowan became the first female independent to sit on the crossbench, where she would represent the Victorian rural electorate of Indi for six years. Winning the seat of Indi, after the Coalition had held the seat for eighty-two years, was a watershed moment. Indi became 'Exhibit A' for future political campaigns from Kerryn Phelps as the Member for Wentworth to Zali Steggall in Warringah.

Cathy Goes to Canberra tells both the story of the campaign to win Indi around the community's kitchen tables and the subsequent realities of negotiating good policy with the major political parties. This is a handbook a 'how to be elected' and a 'how to survive' Canberra, and a manifesto for an alternative community-based politics.

In 2004 McGowan 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.