MARY BARRY - CHAIR 2023 RI CONVENTION HOST ORGANISING COMMITTEE (HOC)
Looking forward to the 2023 RI Melbourne Convention

Mary is the Chair of the 2023 Convention HOC.  The Host Organization Committee (HOC) is a group of Rotarians from the host district(s) who support the success of the convention by fulfilling specific responsibilities.  
 
Mary shall discuss the structure of the HOC and the need for a diverse workforce to assist with the event. It is also an opportunity to bring along family and friends and potential members.  
 
Mary is a past President of Rotary Melbourne.  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 is totally 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, as individuals can contribute to and play their their part in ending family violence by preventing it before it occurs.
 
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.