A Life of Devotion and Advocacy
Myree Harris, who passed away in 2026, dedicated her life to the care and advocacy of society’s most vulnerable individuals. From the mentally ill to the homeless, the disabled, and the destitute, her work focused on providing dignity, support, and a sense of belonging to those often overlooked.
Born in Dubbo in 1944, Myree was the daughter of Vince Harris, a furniture shop proprietor, and Ellie. Her early years were marked by a strong religious faith, which she nurtured during her time at St Brigid’s and St Raphael’s High School in Cowra. In 1962, she joined the Sisters of St Joseph, beginning a lifelong commitment to service and compassion.
Her journey into advocacy began in 1989 when she volunteered at a community house for alcoholic and homeless men in Melbourne. “To my surprise, I loved the place,” she later recalled. This experience led her to see the urgent need for better living conditions for those in marginalised communities. She noted the deplorable state of some boarding houses in New South Wales, which left many without proper care or safety.
In January 1990, Myree became the house leader at St Francis House in Sydney’s Stanmore, where she took on the challenge of caring for a group of vulnerable individuals. She worked to bring order to chaos, ensuring that residents had a stable and secure environment. Her approach was practical and firm—she insisted on weekly rent payments and encouraged cleanliness, believing that poverty should not equate with dirt.
After St Francis House was evicted, Myree found a new space in Marrickville, which became the Gethsemane Community. The vision was clear: to provide a safe and permanent home for up to six people with mental illness or disabilities. Word of her no-nonsense approach spread, and while some boarding house owners saw her as a threat, she remained undeterred.
A Champion for the Marginalised
Myree’s work extended beyond Gethsemane. She became an advocate for the homeless and the mentally ill, representing the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference at three Vatican conferences on homelessness. Her efforts earned her a place on various advisory committees, including the St Vincent de Paul Society’s State Advisory Committee for the Care of People with Mental Illness.
One of her key initiatives was the Compeer program, which provided friendship and support to hundreds of people with mental illness. She also lobbied government ministers, including then-premier Bob Carr, to address the poor conditions in boarding houses. Her persistence led to the closure of one particularly bad facility, despite warnings about her personal safety.
Caring for the Elderly and Lonely
In addition to her work with the homeless, Myree was deeply concerned about the loneliness faced by elderly residents in aged care. From 1994, she began packing Christmas gift parcels for residents of licensed boarding houses, bringing joy and comfort during the holiday season. Her efforts grew to include 822 people, with staff at one nursing home expressing deep gratitude for the kindness shown to their residents.
In 1995, she helped form the Coalition for Appropriate Supported Accommodation (CASA), which played a crucial role in advocating for boarding house reforms. After years of lobbying, the NSW government announced a $66 million reform program, relocating 500 high-need residents to group homes.
International Recognition and Legacy
Myree’s impact extended beyond Australia. She won a Churchill Fellowship to study treatment programs for dual diagnosis patients in Canada, the USA, and England. In 2007, she attended the First International Pastoral Meeting on Homeless Persons in Rome, and in 2015, she delivered a paper on trafficking and abuse in Oceania at the Vatican International Symposium on Pastoral Care of the Street.
Her dedication to social justice earned her the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2011. Friends described her as “Christ-like,” noting her selflessness and devotion to others. Even in her final years, she continued to care for the small Gethsemane group who relied on her guidance and support.
Myree Harris passed away on May 15 after a short illness. She is survived by her siblings Peter and Carmel, brother-in-law Kevin Hutchinson, niece Kerry Coker, and nephew Dr Darren Hutchinson. Her funeral will be held at St Mary’s Church in North Sydney on May 27 at 10am.
A Lasting Impact
Throughout her life, Myree Harris demonstrated unwavering commitment to those in need. Her work laid the foundation for better support systems for the homeless, the mentally ill, and the disabled. Her legacy continues through the organisations she helped establish and the countless lives she touched.
