Yvonne is an independent councillor and the first Aboriginal councillor in the City of Sydney's 180-year history. She 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. 

Yvonne has 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.

In 2022, Yvonne was recognised as the 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 her debut novel, Sixty-Seven Days.