Ann-Maria Martin
Maria Martin is the founder and CEO of Survivor’s R Us, a self‑funded not‑for‑profit in Lake Macquarie that supports people experiencing domestic violence, homelessness and hardship.
Drawing on her own journey from victim‑survivor to advocate, she has spent nearly a decade turning a small grassroots effort into a thriving community hub offering food relief, emergency assistance, counselling pathways, support groups and a welcoming op shop. Under her leadership, Survivor's R Us has navigated major challenges, including the threat of closure due to rising rents, and secured permanent premises and significant grant funding.
Maria is known for her hands‑on, compassionate approach, her focus on restoring dignity and breaking cycles of abuse, and her ability to unite volunteers, local businesses, government and community partners to support vulnerable people across the Hunter and Lake Macquarie regions.