Hanworth House owner Marisa Vecchio has dedicated most of her working life to empowering women. An ambassador for Women’s Legal Service, Marisa has also been heavily involved with Zonta International for more than two decades. She also works closely with the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, in honour of her mother, Romana Preston, who passed away in 2012.

Last year, Marisa was awarded for her efforts, being recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List,and appointed Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for her “significant service to the community, particularly to health administration, standards and accreditation, to education, and to business”. Only four days later, she was also awarded Queensland Community Foundation’s Community Philanthropist of the Year.

Marisa is the owner of Hanowrth House, which she bought in 2012 after her mother’s passing to honour her memory. “The house oozed history and was desperate for some love and affection,” Marisa said. “It deserved nothing less than to become a home once again.” Having worked in the corporate world as a CEO for a number of years Marisa was ready to embark on what she says was her biggest challenge: the restoration of one of Brisbane’s oldest properties. While restoring the property was an emotionally draining job, thanks to an arson attack that destroyed 80 per cent of the property when it was mere weeks from completion, Marisa credits her wonderful network of friends and supporters for lifting her spirits. “People came from far and wide to lend a hand and were true saviours. Each and every person who helped made a difference.”

Today, Hanworth House is an important stitch in the social and community fabric of Brisbane. Operating as accommodation suites for both long and short-term visitors, Marisa aims to establish Hanworth House as a haven to support the advancement of women in business, offering more than just a place to stay. Hanworth offers an instant community as guests meet and mix with others. Regular resident social gatherings and events are held to enhance living at Hanworth and enrich this sense of togetherness and belonging. Additionally, the property hosts both corporate and private events and holds regular events for local charities.

In 2014, Hanworth House was honoured to be awarded the Queensland Heritage Council Gold Award and the John Herbert Memorial Award, the supreme award for the most outstanding awards nomination. In 2015, Hanworth also won the Premier’s Sustainable Heritage Award. Accolades aside, heart remains at the core of the residence. Marisa continues her work to empower women, and to honour the memory of her mother who she says “will live on forever, in our hearts and in the halls of Hanworth House”.

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