Yvonne is the first Aboriginal councillor in the City of Sydney's 180-year history. She was inspired to run for Council to ensure local government is representative, helping those who have traditionally been excluded find their voice and influence change. 

Yvonne was born and raised in inner Sydney but maintains strong ties to her Wiradjuri homelands of Cowra and the Riverina areas of New South Wales. She follows in the footsteps of a proud tradition of activists and change-makers (including her great-aunt Mum Shirl and her uncle Paul Coe, a prominent Aboriginal rights campaigner). Her family was instrumental in establishing the Aboriginal Children’s Service, Aboriginal Medical Service and Aboriginal Legal Service in Redfern.

Prior to her election to Council, Yvonne held numerous senior positions in NSW Government, non-government and Aboriginal controlled organisations working across health, human services, housing and child protection. She has served as the elected Chair of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, Deputy Chair of the NSW Australia Day Council and as a Board member of Domestic Violence NSW and Redfern Jarjum College.

In 2022, Yvonne was recognised as NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year and appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her service to the Aboriginal community. She also recently published her debut novel, Sixty-Seven Days. The previously unpublished manuscript was shortlisted for the Queensland Literary Awards David Unaipon Award.

Yvonne’s vision for Sydney is to see a green, vibrant and inclusive city humming with opportunity, equally accessible to all.