Kirby Slade, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community advocate with Elder Rights Australia, OPAN’s Victoria network member.
Tell us a little about your background
I am a proud Yorta Yorta woman who grew up in a small town in Central NSW. I started my career in aged care at the age of 16. After moving to Victoria, I spent 15 years working in the disability sector in a range of roles, from support worker, disability advocate, Aboriginal outreach worker, peer group coordinator, and support coordinator.
What made you decide to become an aged care advocate?
I’ve always enjoyed working with older people, so stepping into aged care advocacy felt like returning to my roots. I’m especially passionate about working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and empowering them with their rights.
What do you like most about your job/the work?
I love connecting with people and listening to their stories. I love helping them feel seen and heard and empowering them to stand up for their rights. I find so much purpose in knowing that I can make a small difference in someone’s life.
What do you like least?
Seeing how much more needs to be done. It’s frustrating to watch people face barriers that shouldn’t exist. This also keeps me motivated to continue showing up.
What has being an advocate taught you?
The true power of listening, really listening, and how much people’s lives can change when they feel heard and supported. It has shown me the strength and resilience that people carry, often quietly, and it reminds me every day why speaking up and standing alongside others matters so much.
What’s is the most surprising thing that’s happened to you on the job?
A surprising thing to me is seeing how much trust people place in you when you create true cultural safety, especially with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders and community members. Many people don’t know what help is out there, and far too many are going without help. I think that’s why listening, connection and culturally safe advocacy matter.
What would you consider to be your greatest achievement (personal or professional)?
Learning to step out of my comfort zone. I’m an introvert and I never thought I’d get up and speak in public. It terrified me. But now I’m proud to be a strong advocate and public speaker, using my voice to help others and encouraging them to use their voice. I’ve got 2 little boys and I want them to see that even if something scares you, with courage and determination, you can make a difference.
What makes you get out of bed in the morning
It is my 2 early rising boys who make me get out of bed.
Who or what most inspires you?
My biggest inspiration would be my nan. She’s 80 and she’s still working in social justice. She’s travelled around the world and has the busiest social life and never complains. She’s always helping someone and always making sure people never go without. Her strength, compassion, and dedication inspire me every single day and remind me why I should show up and make a difference for others. It also sets an example for my boys.
If you weren’t an advocate, what would you do instead?
I’d still be working in social justice, as I know that’s where my heart lies, and no matter what, I still want to do something that makes a positive impact and helps people feel seen.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
While I was working as a disability support worker, I also trained as a beauty therapist and ran my own salon, which I worked around my shifts and my kids. I wanted to be a beauty therapist from a young age, but then I got into social justice. I loved it, but it was busy.
What do you do to recharge?
To recharge, I love getting out in nature and disconnecting from the world, going somewhere where there’s no phone service. I also like fossicking for crystals.
What would be your ‘perfect’ day?
My perfect day would be spending time with my boys fishing, exploring, and fossicking together. They get so excited over the different coloured rocks. There’s nothing better for me than fresh air, good company, and finding little treasures.
What’s the one possession you couldn’t live without?
I know I just said I like to disconnect from it, but it’s my mobile phone, sadly. It holds so many precious memories of my boys, keeps my life organised with reminders, and, funnily enough, it even helps me disconnect from a hectic day when I need to unwind.
If you could have lunch with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
My great-grandmother. She passed when I was very young and I only remember meeting her once or twice. I’d love nothing more than to sit with her, have a yarn, and hear all the stories about our family and where we come from.
