Mary Barry, Family Safety, Nature or Nurture – Whose Responsibility?

Mary Barry was the Chief Executive Officer of Our Watch, the national organisation to
prevent violence against women and their children from January 2016 – May 2018.
Our Watch was established by government in 2013 to drive nation-wide change in the
culture, behaviours and attitudes that underpin and create violence against women and
their children. Its mandate is to stop violence before it happens.

To this end, Our Watch works to increase gender equity and respect in all aspects of
everyday life, such as in schools; workplaces; young people through social marketing; media;
sporting organisations; and through developing and influencing policy.

Our Watch’s work derives from the government’s commitment to the National Plan to
Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010 – 2022.

Prior to Our Watch , Mary was the CEO of the National Heart Foundation of Australia for
two years; CEO of the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) for eight years and; CEO of
the Victorian Association of Health and Extended Care for six years. Prior to that Mary held
a number of senior executive roles in health and aged care and local government.

Mary joined RC of Melbourne in 2006 serving on the Board as a Director, and Vice President,
prior to being appointed President in 2017/2018. Mary was also a Director on the Board of
District 9800 for two years and headed up the Strategic Planning and Risk portfolio.
Mary joined RC of Melbourne because she wanted to give back to the community and be
involved in an organization that puts “service above self ”. Being a Rotarian means she can
work with like-minded individuals who want to make a difference to the lives of those who
are less fortunate and be part of a global movement that wants to change humanity for the
better.

Mary is currently a member of the RC of Melbourne Family Violence Committee. She istotally
committed to and passionate about the need to prevent violence against women and their
children, and as part of her role on the committee is working with Rotarians to enable them
to better understand the drivers of violence against women and their children, which will in
turn help them to better understand how, they, asindividuals can contribute to and play their
their part in ending family violence by preventing it before it occurs.