A legacy of quiet strength and community love
The Illawarra region is mourning the loss of Aunty Heather Ball, a respected Wadi Wadi elder who passed away on November 4 at 75 years old. Known for her fierce spirit, sharp wit and deep compassion, Ball quietly shaped her community through decades of unwavering support and guidance.
Defying the odds for family
Two decades ago, doctors delivered a grim prognosis to the then 55-year-old Ball. They warned that her emphysema and cigarette smoking meant she might only live another four years if she quit. She defied those predictions by living another 20 years, a testament to her remarkable resilience.
Her daughter, Maxine Dobeson, attributes this longevity to Ball's powerful connection to family. "She was very, very, very strong. She fought all the way," Dobeson shared. "Her children and her grandchildren is what kept her going."
Heather Dianne Ball, née McGrady, grew up in the Coomaditchie Mission before moving to Port Kembla. She built a life with her husband Keith, celebrating 57 years of marriage that brought five children - Josephine, Keith, Tanya (deceased), Lesley and Maxine - and twelve grandchildren.
The quiet achiever who touched countless lives
Unlike many community leaders, Ball shied away from the public spotlight. She rarely took to stages for speeches or sought recognition for her work. Instead, she operated as what her daughter describes as a "quiet achiever" who preferred face-to-face connections.
"She was more the kind of person that actually touched the community, straight to the heart," Dobeson explained. "If someone needed help in our community, not even just Aboriginal community, but like the whole Illawarra. She knew everybody and everybody knew her."
Ball's method of community service was deeply personal. She would spend hours scrolling through Facebook Marketplace, hunting for second-hand televisions, washing machines or refrigerators for community members in need. Her compassion knew no boundaries, embracing people from all walks of life.
A final act of generosity
Ball's commitment to helping others extended even to dipping into her own carefully saved funeral fund to assist friends and family facing hardship. This selfless act means her family now faces the challenge of covering funeral costs.
"We can't get into her bank to see how much is actually in there, but I think there might be like a tiny bit, which we think we might have to go towards a headstone," Dobeson revealed.
The community has rallied to support the family through a GoFundMe campaign to ensure Ball receives the farewell she deserves. Her funeral will be held on Friday, November 21 at 12pm at Hansen and Cole in Kembla Grange, followed by burial at Wollongong Lawn Cemetery and a wake at the Illawarra Aboriginal Corporate Facility in Port Kembla.
In a fitting tribute to Ball's vibrant personality and cultural pride, attendees are asked to wear purple or Koori colours to her service. The Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation captured the community's sentiment in their tribute, describing Ball as "a strong, fierce leader and respected elder" whose "wisdom, courage, sense of humour and kindness touched so many lives."
