About us

Mary’s House Services was established in 2016, when motivated members of the community on Sydney’s north shore agreed to take direct, affirmative action on the issue of domestic violence to save lives. Mary’s House Services provides accommodation and professional wrap around services for women and their children escaping domestic violence that enables our clients to be safe, hopeful and empowered to take the first steps in rebuilding their lives.

Mary’s House is 100% community funded and relies solely on the support of our local community and corporate partners.

Mary’s House Services professional services include case management, accommodation for up to five families and relocation services at Mary’s House and advice, case management, referral, support services and therapeutic programs at the Daisy Centre.

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Mary's House Services invites you to join us in saying that we don't accept domestic violence in our community

Mission

To offer hope, compassion and safety to women and children who have experienced domestic violence and abuse through the provision of quality services, advocacy and mobilising change in our community.

We do not accept domestic violence in our community.

Vision

To empower women and children to live a life free of domestic violence and abuse

Our CEO

Yvette Vignando

CEO

Yvette is a strong, values-based leader, passionate about Mary's House Services' core message. She has a track record of warmth and engagement. Yvette's background includes legal practice, management in not-for-profit environments, fundraising, publishing and media, company secretarial and executive coaching with a specialisation in emotional intelligence. Her career reflects a commitment to contributing to community wellbeing and safety, particularly children's social and emotional wellbeing, social justice, health and education.

Our board

Karen Bevan

Chair of the Board

Karen has 30 years’ experience working across government, research institutions and not for profit organisations in roles including executive leadership, strategy, operational leadership, policy analysis, research, training, service delivery and community development.

Through her experience she brings together a deep understanding of community services practice (particularly domestic and family violence, child protection, early childhood development, family support and out of home care), public policy, legislation and research to drive practice and strategy, systemic change and public policy development. She has deep experience working with all levels of government, community and NGO stakeholders to support strategy development and implementation. Karen has worked extensively in community engagement with diverse communities.

Karen has been a volunteer mentor with women who have experienced domestic and family violence seeking employment and is committed to improving the pathways and experiences of women and children fleeing domestic violence.

In addition to her Board role with Mary’s House Services, Karen is a member of the Youth Law Australia Board and a consultant and leadership coach for community services.

Richard Harpham

Board Director

Richard has extensive experience in governance in the not-for-profit arena, including as Deputy Chair of St Vincent’s Health Australia and Chair of the Trustees of Mary Aikenhead Ministries.

He has held senior marketing and risk management roles in Australia and overseas with Citibank and Westpac Group.

Claire Cooper

Board Director

Claire Cooper became involved with Mary’s House in March 2016, as part of the team recruiting and managing volunteers. She also headed a committee tasked with raising awareness of domestic violence among schools in the local community.

Claire has a degree in law from Southampton University, England and practised as a commercial property solicitor in London before moving to Sydney in 1991. She lived in Jakarta Indonesia for five years where she a founding member of Yayasan Balita Sehat, a Foundation for Mother and Child Health FMCH). Claire published a bi-lingual cookery book, the proceeds of which went to the FMCH. During this time she was also editor of the Grapevine magazine, a 54 page colour publication produced monthly for expatriates living in Jakarta.

Josh Dowton

Board Director

Josh has been a friend of Mary's House since 2016, and brings to the Board a wealth of experience in community engagement, partnership brokering, transformational community development, adult education, and local church ministry. He has a passion for systems thinking, strategic planning, and organisational health.

Josh was one of the founding members (and is the current Chair) of the Crows Nest Safe Village Project, which brings together local services, organisations, Councils, and faith groups to respond to and reduce domestic abuse in the local community.