Ruby Eileen Hayward
Premium memorialLovingly known as “Aunty Ruby”
15 January 1943 — 21 July 2025 · aged 82
Noongar elder, health worker and language keeper who welcomed Perth to Country
Perth, Australia Born in York, Western Australia (Ballardong Noongar country) Resting at Buried at York on Ballardong Noongar country, beside her motherAbout Ruby
The family of Aunty Ruby Hayward has given permission for her name and story to be shared here, and asks that readers speak of her with the care she showed everyone. Kaya, she said to every room she entered, and the room usually answered. Born in January 1943 on Ballardong Noongar country near York in Western Australia, she grew up in a tin-roofed house on the edge of town, learning Noongar words from her grandmother as they gathered quandongs and dug for mallee roots.
In 1964 she moved to Perth, where she raised six children, cleaned offices at night and studied for a community health certificate by day. From 1978 to 2003 she worked as an Aboriginal Health Worker at Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service in East Perth, driving elderly patients to appointments in her old Holden, translating between nurses and families, and sitting up with the dying so that no one passed alone. She never took credit for the lives she helped steady, and the younger health workers she trained still use her phrase: 'Walk beside, not in front.'
After retiring she became one of Perth's most requested Noongar elders to give a Welcome to Country, speaking with the blessing of Whadjuk elders at school assemblies, Kings Park ceremonies and Perth Festival events, in the words she had learnt from her grandmother. She taught Noongar language to children at more than twenty schools, singing the names of the animals and the seasons until they stuck. She loved scones, country music, the Fremantle Dockers and her ute. She died peacefully on 21 July 2025, aged eighty-two, surrounded by family. She leaves her children, her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her sister Betty, and a generation of Noongar kids who greet each morning with kaya.
“Walk beside, not in front. And always say kaya.”
- Place of birth
- York, Western Australia (Ballardong Noongar country)
- Resting place
- Buried at York on Ballardong Noongar country, beside her mother
- Passed away
- 21 July 2025, Perth
Funeral Service & Smoking Ceremony
Saturday, 2 August 2025 at 12:00 UTC
Add to calendarMemorial fund
Aunty Ruby Noongar Language Fund
Support Noongar language classes in Perth schools and the recording of her stories, led by her family and community.
$5,310.50 raised of $9,000
59%20 recent contributions
- PR
Priscilla Jepchirchir Rono gave $95 · 12mo ago
“In honour of a wonderful woman.”
- HM
Haji Mushtaq gave $142.50 · 12mo ago
- DB
Dr. Claudine Uwimana Bizimana gave $237.50 · 12mo ago
- FZ
Franca Zanetti gave $95 · 1y ago
- CR
Camila Rocha gave $95 · 1y ago
“With love from the diaspora.”
Life journey
Born on Ballardong Noongar country
1943 · York, Western Australia
Grew up learning Noongar words and bush knowledge from her grandmother.
Certificate in Community Health (Aboriginal Health Work)
Central Metropolitan College of TAFE1974 – 1977 · Perth
Studied by day after cleaning offices through the night.
Aboriginal Health Worker
Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service1978 – 2003 · East Perth
Twenty-five years of driving, translating and sitting beside patients and families.
Noongar language teacher in schools
Perth primary and high schools2004 – 2025 · Perth
Taught Noongar language to children at more than twenty schools.
Welcome to Country speaker
Kings Park and Perth Festival2005 – 2025 · Perth
Opened ceremonies with the language of her grandmother, with the blessing of Whadjuk elders.
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
Australian Government2014 · Perth
For service to the Aboriginal community of Western Australia.
Tap an organisation to find others who studied or worked there.
Family & connections
Ruby is survived by
- Dale Hayward· Son
- Lorraine Hayward· Daughter
- Yvonne Taylor· Daughter
- Betty Cox· Sister
- 22 grandchildren and great-grandchildren· Grandchildren
Tributes & memories
6 people have shared a memory of Ruby.
Knew Ruby? Share a memory with the family and everyone who loved them.
Sign in to write a tribute- RL
Producer, Perth Festival
She opened our festival with six sentences and a smile, and the whole Concert Hall rose without being asked. Afterwards she said, 'You did well, girl,' and handed me a scone from her handbag. I have kept the napkin.
- BF
Principal, Maylands Primary School
Her Welcome to Country opened our school every Reconciliation Week for sixteen years. Children went quiet because she asked them to listen, not because she told them to. After she passed, a Year 2 student asked if she was now part of the sky. I said yes.
- DC
Colleague at Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service
She sat with the dying so that no one passed alone and never once mentioned it in a staff meeting. We learned about her night shifts from the families. She taught me that medicine begins with showing up, and I still show up for her family.
- UJ
Fellow elder
We grew up three paddocks apart near York. She could track a lizard across a rock and remember every word of every hymn. At sorry business she sat with me and told the old stories one more time. Rest easy, sister. We will keep the fire going.
- KJ
Student in her language classes, now a teacher
Aunty Ruby taught me the Noongar word for magpie when I was seven, and I told my mum I wanted to be a teacher. I teach Year 3 now. The first word I teach is kaya. It still makes the room softer.
- TH
Granddaughter
Nan's kitchen always had a pot of tea and scones. She said no one should ever leave her house hungry or ashamed. I said kaya to her every morning on the phone. This morning I said it to the sky, and I think she answered.