About Bonnie’s
We are Bonnie Support Services Ltd but most people call us Bonnie’s…
How we work –
the Bonnie’s Journey to Safety
Hear about Bonnie’s in…
Arabic
English
French
German
Hindi
Mandarin
Spanish
Tamil
Vietnamese
We are Bonnie’s – Meet the team
We are highly skilled women from diverse backgrounds. We share strong feminist principles and live by the belief that everyone has a right to safety.
Homelessness and domestic and family violence affect people from all different cultures. In order to best assist women from non-English speaking backgrounds, our bilingual staff are fluent in English, Vietnamese, Spanish, Serbian, Greek, Croatian, French, German, Fijian, Hindi, Urdu, Cambodian, Japanese and Nepalese. We can connect with interpreters at all times if you speak another language.
Tracy Phillips – Executive Officer
Tracy was born on Gadigal land (Sydney). Throughout the 1980s she worked for ABC Radio in the broadcaster’s archives and has since spent 30+ years working in the community and not-for-profit sectors as well as in government departments, including Social Security, FACS and Health. Her work in the community sector has primarily been in child protection, mental health and domestic violence. When she is not working, Tracy enjoys reading, travelling and hiking.
An – Program Manager
An was born in Vietnam and is fluent in Vietnamese as well as English. She has a background working in mental health, child protection, domestic violence and social work. An says she likes to cook and look for kitchen gadgets though ‘This is not to say I am a good cook!’
Heike – Finance Officer
Heike is passionate about the not-for-profit sector, she has worked for community organisations for the past 30 years in a variety of roles. Her expertise is in the areas of accounting, commerce and community services. Heike sees her role as ensuring that efficient financial systems are in place and that financial information is communicated timely, professional and easy to understand.
Marcela – Environmental Officer
Marcela was born in a South American country – Chile. Prior to Bonnie’s, she worked at an organisation which cared for and supported individuals with disabilities. Marcela was a Support Worker for 5 years. She loved working with and alongside her colleagues.
Ciara – A/g Program Manager
Ciara was born in Sydney, although completed some of her studies in both Ireland and Sweden. She has completed a Bachelor of Human Movement and Health Education (Secondary) at Sydney University and is completing her Masters in Human Rights Law and Policy at the University of New South Wales. Prior to working at Bonnie’s, Ciara was working as a high school teacher teaching Maths, Food Tech & PDHPE. Ciara enjoys meeting new people, learning about different cultures and travelling. Ciara spent four months teaching English to children in Cambodia.
Vasita V – Administration Officer
Vasita is an Indigenous Fijian, born and lived in Fiji all her life. Vasita arrived in Sydney in August 2022 for further studies. She worked in the banking sector – Westpac Fiji for 14 years in the various departments – Customer Service, HR & AML Risk. She loves meeting people, travelling to learn about new places and culture, spending time with friends & family and is a crazy rugby fan – who loves watching rugby. Currently pursuing a Diploma in Leadership and Management Program.
Maddy – Social Media & Marketing Officer
With 12 vibrant years in the digital marketing world, Maddy has danced through both private and public sectors, juggling roles from agency to client-side. Anchored in design and communication, she's not just about business – Maddy's heart beats for making a genuine, lasting impact. Meet the spirit behind our strategies!
Sandra – Administration Officer
Sandra was born in Sydney. She has an administration and finance background, spending many years in the Tax Office before a 20-year stint in community organisations in the Liverpool and Bankstown areas. Her hobbies include reading, dancing and spending time with family.
Fiona – Special Projects
Fiona was born in Sydney and has lived most of her life on Gadigal land. She has worked in a range of roles across direct service, organisational support, research, monitoring and evaluation mostly in the non-government sector, but also in government and the for-profit sector. Outside of work she enjoys reading, walking and gardening.
Our Intake/Community Network Officers
The Community Worker will be your first point of contact at Bonnie’s. She can provide information about our services or can refer you to other services that you need. If you require accommodation, she will get the information from you that we need to provide assistance. The Community Worker can talk to you about the services Bonnie’s provides and answer any questions you have when you are taking the first steps to get support.
Meet our Intake Workers:
Carolina – Senior Community Network Officer (Intake). Carolina was born in Australia. She is fluent in both English and Spanish. Carolina brings experience in education, behavioural therapy, youth and social work to her role as a Family Worker. She enjoys travelling to learn about and experience different cultures and customs. She recently volunteered in Cambodia to work one on one with children.
Alison – Community Worker. Alison was born in Scotland and arrived in Australia aged 18. She has a background in Art Psychotherapy and Transactional Analysis (Psychotherapy). Alison has been working with women and children who have been victims of domestic violence since 2004. Alison has also worked with the chronically homeless in a program, Project 40. Alison’s passion is working with women in a group setting allowing the creative process to inform, empower, and facilitate healing. She has three daughters, two grandchildren and a cat named Maisy.
Sue – Community Worker. Sue was born in Sydney, Australia. Prior to Bonnie’s, she worked in domestic violence refuges for 6 years and the welfare sector for 14 years. Previously Sue has worked in a variety of administration and support roles for a range of industries before returning to her true passion, the community sector. Her main interests are mental health and community education and development.
Our Tenancy Workers
Our Tenancy Workers can assist you with your housing needs. They have links to local Real Estate Agents and Housing NSW, and can help you to find the most appropriate housing for your needs and eligibility and advise you about social housing assistance that may be available to you.
Meet our Tenancy Workers:
Dragana – Tenancy Worker. Dragana was born in Serbia. She speaks Serbian, Bosnian, Croatian, Russian and Macedonian. Dragana has been with us since 2014. She has extensive work experience in the community sector, having worked in culturally diverse organisations for many years helping women and children in need. Dragana has experience in frontline management, customer service and social housing as well as children’s services. She has a Diploma in Community Services and Certificate IV in Frontline Management.
Bianca – Tenancy Officer. Before joining Bonnie’s in 2011, she worked in the real estate and property management areas. In her time here, Bianca has learned a lot about social housing and values its importance in a fair and equitable society.
Our Family Workers
A Family Worker will work with you to develop a case plan to help you to achieve your goals. If you are living in domestic violence she can help you to work out a safety plan. She can assist you in dealing with the police and the legal system, developing living skills to maintain your tenancy, provide advice and support, link you up to a counsellor, health services, parenting and other groups. The Family Worker can advocate on your behalf and refer you to other services you require. She will work with you and our Child Support Worker to assist your children if that is needed.
Meet our Family Workers:
Nguyen – Family Worker. Nguyen was born in Vietnam. She has worked in the community sector for over 13 years and has been with Bonnie’s for 9 years. She speaks Vietnamese and English.
Peta – Family Worker. Peta is a Gooreng Gooreng / Kabi Kabi woman, from Gladstone and Sunshine Coast Areas of QLD. She was born in Brisbane and was raised in both Brisbane and Sydney! Youngest of 10 children (9 being women!), who are all practitioners / educators in the same field. With over 15 years’ experience of working in the community service sector, Peta likes to “fight the good fight” for social justice in our communities. A founding member of Breaking Silent Codes (Movement of First Nations Women from Australia, New Zealand and Pacifica). Speaking up about Family DV / Sexual Assault in our communities, our aim is to educate and empower women. Peta is a trained facilitator in Circles of Security and Parent Trail.
Mel – Team Leader/Family Worker. Mel was born and raised in Sydney’s North Western suburbs on Bidjigal land. She started her career working in marketing and digital design, before moving to the not for profit sector and landing here at Bonnie’s. She lives with her partner and cat in the Inner West on Wangal land and when not working you can usually find her gardening or making art with her nieces.
Jessie – Family Worker. Jessie was born and raised in Sydney, from a multicultural family of Filipino and Irish backgrounds. Jessie completed a Bachelor of Social Work which strengthened her passion for social justice and commitment to continuous learning. Jessie has previous experience working with transgender and gender-diverse communities and has a particular interest in advocating for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community. When she’s not at work, you will usually find Jessie learning a new song on the guitar.
Vicki – Family Worker. Vicky was born in Canberra and has worked in the Community Welfare sector for 5 years after completing a Bachelor of Social Work degree. Prior to working in the Community Welfare Sector, Vicky worked in retail. In her spare time, Vicky likes to spend time with her family and friends and loves to read and travel, and learn about different cultures, and then visit the places that she has learnt about.
Hiroko – Family Worker (Japanese). Hiroko was born and brought up in Japan. She loves travelling and lived in France, Philippines and New Zealand and arrived in Sydney 2003. Hiroko is interested in community development and volunteered, studied, and worked in the community sector since 2008. She has worked in disability and is passionate about inclusion. She likes walking, gardening, and making origami paper art works. She had yabbies and a ferret as family pets and is currently living with two cats.
Our Child and Youth Worker
A Child and Youth Worker can work with you and your child alongside a Family Worker to provide case management support that your child/ren may require. She can assist you with parenting issues you might have and can provide assistance to refer your children to other services that they need, such as schools, childcare or health services.
Meet our Child and Youth Workers:
Marryanne – Child and Youth Worker. Marryanne was born in Australia and is of Greek Cypriot descent. Marryanne has a Media Arts background and has worked in the Art/Film and Design area for many years, before deciding to work in the homeless sector. Marryanne has worked in the homeless Sector for many years and still practises her Art.
Jasmine – Child and Youth Worker. Jasmine was born on Dharug country and is ethnically Kapampangan and French. Jasmine has a Bachelor of Social Work (Hons) and has previous experiencing working with children and young people in intensive therapeutic residential care and in alternative high schools for young people whose needs are unable to be supported in mainstream education. Jasmine is passionate about supporting children and young people wherever they are in their journey of life. Jasmine enjoys walking her dog, spending time with people she loves and going on nature trails.
Our Specialist Workers for Children and Young People
Our Specialist Child Workers support children (and their Mums) who have complex mental and social health needs.
Meet our Specialist Workers for Children and Young People:
Alison C – Specialist Children’s Worker. Alison is a proud Gamilaraay / Garawa woman who has lived and worked in Sydney most of her life. She has worked in the Out of Home Care, Domestic Violence, Child Protection, Project Management, and Intensive Family Based Support sector for the past 20 years. Alison loves spending time in nature and most of all spending valuable time with her family.
Alison M – Specialist Children’s Worker. Alison M was born in Sydney Australia on Dharug land. Alison has worked in the welfare sector for a number of years, including child protection, assessing, youth work, project work, homelessness and domestic violence and is passionate about empowerment through education and helping to break intergenerational patterns. In her free time, Alison enjoys spending time in nature, particularly near the water and finding fun things to do with her 3 year old.
Our Rapid Response (DVRE) Team
Domestic violence doesn’t stop over the weekend and neither do we. From 1 pm on Friday to 9 am Monday, we make sure that women and children escaping domestic violence during these times can get immediate support. That’s where our team comes in.
Meet the DVRE team:
Georgia – Senior DVRE Worker.
Georgia was born in Sydney on Gadigal land and grew up between Sydney and on Wiradjuri country in Orange. Georgia completed a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Media studies; during her degree she discovered a keen interest for gender & cultural studies and completed most of her units within these areas of study. Georgia loves to travel, and she loves food.
Kate – DVRE Worker. Kate has a double degree in Social Work and Arts from the University of New South Wales. Kate completed her Social Work Honours Thesis on how the courts view and respond to technology-facilitated abuse occurring post-separation. Kate completed her Level 4 Social Work Placement at Bonnie’s before moving into the role of Community Worker. Kate is currently a Rapid Response Worker in the DVRE team.
Jess – DVRE Worker. Jessica was born in Australia and is of South Korean heritage. She has completed a Bachelor’s in Social Work from The University of Sydney. During her studies, Jessica completed her placement in a women’s refuge in rural Broken Hill. She continued her career in the homelessness sector in Sydney before joining Bonnie’s.
Community Workers Groups
Community Workers Groups work with particular cultural or ethnic groups to provide support and information and reduce isolation for those women.
Meet our Community Workers Groups:
Nancely – Hindi/Urdu Speaking Women’s Health Group Facilitator. Nancely was born in Fiji of Indian heritage and has worked in the community sector since 2002. She has particularly worked with women and children who have experienced domestic violence, mental health issues and/or homelessness. Nancely is running a weekly health and information group for Hindi and Urdu speaking women. She is an active member of the Indian community and is an active charity worker for the National Breast Cancer Foundation holding an annual fundraising event for breast cancer research.
Darany – Khmer Women’s Health Group Facilitator. Darany was born in Cambodia and arrived in Australia with her family as a refugee. She is fluent in English and Khmer. Darany completed Social Work studies and is a member of the AASW. She has extensive experience and has worked as a Counsellor with Child and Adult Family Team; Sexual Assault Services, in Women’s Health and Transcultural Mental Health. Darany is passionate about working with women from diverse cultural backgrounds to promote healthy self-discovery via self-reflection, sharing of wisdom and experiences.
Our Board
Betty Green – Chairperson
Betty is a committed feminist advocate and her work in the women’s community services spans three decades. Violence against women, particularly domestic violence, has been her focus.
She has served on numerous management committees and boards in the community sector locally as well as a state-wide peak body, Women’s Health NSW and on government committees such as NSW Premier’s Council for the Prevention of Violence Against Women (2009-2013) and the NSW Domestic Violence Death Review Team (2010-2014) and nationally as a committee member of Australasian Council of Women and Policing. She co-founded NSW Domestic Violence Committee Coalition in 2006 and is the recipient of an Edna Ryan Award for Community Activism (2006). She is currently a PhD candidate undertaking research on domestic violence death reviews in Australia.
Wendy Morgan – Vice Chairperson
Wendy Morgan is an Aboriginal Woman from the Dyiringanj People of Wallaga Lake that forms part of the Yuin Nation on the Far South Coast of NSW.
Wendy is an activist and Aboriginal rights advocate who has worked with government, NGO’s and local land councils for more than 30 years. She is currently the director of Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council and founder of Guntawang Aboriginal Resources Incorporated, an organisation that facilitates arts and crafts activities. Previously Wendy was employed by the Commonwealth government for 28 years and has since been an experienced board member, working on boards such as: The Gulaga and Biamanga National Parks Board of Management, Aboriginal Housing Office, Seniors Rights NSW, The Commissioner on Aged and Disabilities, Aboriginal Fairfield Advisory Group, Ministerial Advisory Committee on Ageing (MACA), The Fairfield Working Group with Govt and Non-Govt representatives. She is currently the chairperson of ‘Our People our Way’ with the South West Sydney Department of DCJ.
Frances Atkins – Treasurer
Frances has over 10 years’ experience in banking and finance and is a vice president at J.P. Morgan’s Corporate and Investment Bank.
Frances is currently completing a Masters in Business Administration at AGSM. She has experience advising senior management, boards and committees on a range of corporate and strategic matters. She participates in confidence-building programs for young girls in primary and high school, and mentors female university students seeking a career in business and finance. Frances has a keen interest in supporting women in the workforce and is pleased to join Bonnie’s board to contribute to improving opportunities for women.
Amelia Scott
Amelia Scott is Bonnie’s longest serving Board member. Amelia has a wealth of experience in health and in particular women and children’s health.
She completed General Nursing and Midwifery and is currently employed by a Local Health District as a Child and Family Health Nurse. Amelia initially joined Bonnie’s Board to promote community liaison with the Area Health Service and has been inspired by Bonnie’s innovative support work with women and children, to stay involved.
Karen Beetson
Karen Beetson is a Mandandanji woman from south west Queensland. Karen has worked for over 30 years in Aboriginal Community Development beginning her career in Aboriginal Employment and Education and has worked for NSW Juvenile Justice.
Prior to her appointment as Deputy Director Aboriginal Health SWSLHD Karen was the Manager of Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation/ AMS Family and Community Programs. Her managerial scope included Tharawal’s Child and Family teams as well as the Social and Emotional Wellbeing team, Sexual Health, Hepatitis and HIV and the Djurali Tackling Indigenous Smoking Team and Healthy Lifestyle Programs.
Karen has served on several Boards of Aboriginal Corporations throughout her working career and is a current Board member of Bonnie Support Services. Karen is an artist and in her earlier career has been involved in the development of the Mil-Pra Art Exhibition, Commonwealth Education State-wide Art Camps and her work has adorned the Juvenile Justice Annual report as well as utilising her artistic skills to develop cultural representations of core CBT concepts for their Dthina Yuwalli Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol program.
Karen has a diploma in counselling and Advance Diploma in leadership and management.
Dr Lai Heng Foong
Dr Foong is a Senior Emergency Physician and Sexual Assault and Forensic Physician based in Sydney who has a passion for Public Health, including Domestic violence, Disaster preparedness, Climate Change and Health, Indigenous Health and the social determinants of health.
Before she studied medicine, she completed a Master’s in Public Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. She is currently the Chair of the Public Health and Disaster Committee of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) and a member of the Indigenous Health Committee. She has travelled to Cuba, Vietnam, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to teach Emergency Medicine, and to discover new cultures and local food. Dr Foong has conducted and presented research on Domestic violence, and been an invited speaker on health impacts and health system response on this area. She is the Clinical lead of the NSW ED Community of Practice (CoP) in Covid-19 Pandemic Response. She is a strong advocate for health equity and supporting the most vulnerable people in our community. She has contributed to the Network of Women in Emergency Medicine (NoWEM) on domestic violence and anti racism and currently sits on the Antiracism and Discrimination Committee of the South West Sydney Local Health District. Her other areas of interest include refugee health, multicultural health and improving cultural competency in healthcare providers. She is the Chair of the Medical Staff Council and enjoys mentoring women in her workplace and community to rise to their fullest potential.