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About Yvonne

Yvonne is an independent councillor and 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 The previously unpublished manuscript was shortlisted for the Queensland Literary Awards David Unaipon Award.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. In her first term as a councillor, Yvonne has successfully advocated for:

  • An increase in mandatory developer contributions for affordable housing.
  • The introduction and expedition of net-zero building requirements.
  • Protection of the Selwyn Street boarding houses and other low-income housing.
  • A greater proportion of public housing in the Waterloo South redevelopment.
  • The roll-out of public electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities. 
  • Additional resources for the Council's in-house waste services.
  • The removal of advertising screens which block our high streets.
  • Accessibility upgrades for mobility impaired social housing tenants on Elger Street Glebe.
  • Vital funding for Glebe Youth Service and the Settlement's youth programs.
  • A stronger voice for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
  • First Nations place names and signs to contextualise colonial-era statues.
  • Additional staff and programs at community centres.
  • A community space fee waiver for community groups and small not-for-profits.
  • The extension of on-street dining and a fee waiver for local businesses.
  • An end to single neighbour noise complaint restrictions and closures.
  • A reduction of outdoor alcohol restrictions.
  • Increased planting of native species and a moratorium on plane trees.
  • Additional off-leash pet areas and pet day services.
  • A commitment to remove the unsafe Moore Park Road cycleway.
  • Transparent public information access processes.
  • A robust performance appraisal framework for key Council staff.