Yorta Yorta Aunty Kay Bussell’s sons pay tribute after sudden death

The sudden loss of a “loving mother” and a fierce advocate of Aboriginal culture in Sydney has led to an outpouring of tributes. This story contains images of a deceased Indigenous person.

Proud Yorta Yorta Aunty Kay Bussell pictured with her sons Bill, Glen and Greg and her granddaughter Tiahni.

A First Nations elder has been remembered as a loving mother and a fierce advocate of Aboriginal culture and heritage after her sudden death.

Aunty Kay Bussell, 65, died last weekend in a shocking and tragic turn for her family just three weeks after she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

WARNING: This story contains images of a deceased Indigenous person.

Her sons, Greg and Bill Bussell, said she was a loving mother who put her family first.

“She was always one of those people who was always out helping other people,” Greg said.

Yorta Yorta Aunty Kay Bussell has passed away suddenly after being diagnosed with cancer.

“She would take her own shirt off her back just to give a hand. She would always make sure everyone is all right, before herself especially right to the end. Even when we found out that she was sick, she was still out helping people.

“Growing up we didn’t have much but we always had what we needed because of her.”

Aunty Kay Bussell could often be found at community events doing spiritual cleansings and face art.

Bill said he loved his mum very much and she would always support him in all his games with the Disability Rugby League.

Having lived in Minto for nearly 40 years, Aunty Kay was also a proud Yorta Yorta woman who was a fierce advocate for reconciliation.

“She would do spiritual cleansings and she would help out with classes at Airds at the Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation doing English classes,” Greg said. “Her culture was her everything, she was so proud of it. She was a very proud Yorta Yorta woman.”

Close family friend Jade Morton said Aunty Kay was heavily involved in celebrating Aboriginal culture and heritage and was a “matriarch” to so many.

“All the local sporting clubs like the Minto Cobras would get her to do the acknowledgments,” she said. “She did so much for the community. Her generosity has impacted and changed the lives of so many people.”

Greg said his mum had left behind a legacy of always finding ways to help others, one that he hoped the community and her loved ones would continue to carry on.

“She wanted to pass that on – helping others,” he said.

A GoFundMe has been started to help the family cover funeral costs. For more information, click here.