Aunty Heather Ball, a respected Wadi Wadi elder and community leader in the Illawarra, has died at age 75. She passed away on November 4, defying doctors' predictions that she would live only four more years after being diagnosed with emphysema at 55. Her daughter Maxine Dobeson said her mother's strength and her family kept her going for another 20 years.
Mrs Ball grew up at Coomaditchie Mission and later moved to Port Kembla, with her family well known in Warilla and Shellharbour. She was married to husband Keith for 57 years and had five children: Josephine, Keith, Tanya (deceased), Lesley, and Maxine. She also had 12 grandchildren and considered many others as part of her extended family.
Described as a quiet achiever, Mrs Ball preferred to guide and support people one-on-one rather than speak publicly. Her daughter said she touched the hearts of many in the Illawarra community, often helping those in need by sourcing second-hand items like televisions and washing machines from Facebook Marketplace.
Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation paid tribute, calling her a strong, fierce leader and respected elder. Mrs Ball frequently dipped into her own funeral fund to assist friends and family, leaving little for her own expenses. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover funeral costs.
Her funeral will be held on November 21 at Hansen and Cole in Kembla Grange, followed by burial at Wollongong Lawn Cemetery and a wake at Illawarra Aboriginal Corporate Facility. In her honor, attendees are asked to wear purple or Koori colours, reflecting her favorite color and cultural pride.
