The Narromine community is mourning the loss of an iconic advocate in Wiradjuri woman Aunt Neita Scott who passed away this month. Her legacy is the vast improvements in the lives of Indigenous people in her community and beyond. 

Aunt Neita made her mark on the community in a plethora of ways, committing her life to the improvements of others. 

Becoming the NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) Councillor for the Central Region in 1988, Aunt Neita not only worked extensively in Aboriginal housing locally, but advocated for the Indigenous community, women, and health on a national and international scale.



Narromine Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) CEO Shelly Bayliss said that Aunt Neita was generous with her ambition. 

“She did a lot of work…so that all people were on the same level playing field. She wanted Aboriginal people to have the same opportunities and chances and education as everybody else,” Ms Bayliss said. 

Since beginning at the NSWALC, she later was awarded an inaugural “40 Years Strong” Chairperson’s Award in 2017 for her service. 

During that time, Aunt Neita represented the NSWALC at the United Nations in Geneva on several occasions, advocating for Land Rights on the world stage. 

Beyond that, she was a Board Member at the Aboriginal Housing Office, a member of the Aboriginal Housing Development Committee, as well as a Member of the Premier’s Council for Women, the Rural Women’s Advisory Council and Narromine Health Council. 

Ms Bayliss said that Aunt Neita’s impact on Narromine alone was impressive. 

“She introduced Aboriginal Housing, the LALC now has 32 houses, supported the CDEP (Community Development Employment Projects) program, lots of things,” she said. 

“She would help anyone and everyone,” Ms Bayliss said. 

NSWALC Chairperson Councillor Danny Chapman says Neita Scott will be long remembered by her family, community and many friends. 

“Neita Scott leaves a strong legacy as a Land Rights warrior and a highly respected woman committed to good relationships and partnerships at personal, local and state levels. She was a quiet achiever, and tireless in her work to support Aboriginal community controlled organisations and their ability to empower our people,” he said. 

“On behalf of the Land Rights network, I send my very deepest condolences to Neita’s family at this very sad time.”