Christine Strachan

Taking the reins of the Burwood Information and Aid Centre over 40 years ago, Christine has grown this service from Meals on Wheels into the large charity Burwood Community Welfare Services.

In 1982 Christine met a woman who was terrified of seeing her husband when applying for an AVO. Christine accompanied her to court and sat with her as her support. This was the beginning of the Women's Domestic Violence Advocacy Service. Today this service, funded by Legal Aid, employs 11 staff who attend court every Thursday, where they support approximately 100 domestic violence survivors each week.

Christine also developed a Specialist Migrant Placement Program, which advocates for female migrant professionals such as doctors, lawyers and engineers to have their qualifications accredited in Australia. Many of these women rebuilt their careers and went on to make valuable contributions to Australian society.

Under her tireless leadership Christine has developed numerous other multifaceted services, staffed primarily by professionally trained volunteers, providing quality practical and emotional support to disadvantaged members of Sydney’s Inner West community.