Belle McLeod

Isabelle “Aunty Belle” McLeod (1927–2015). Isabelle May McLeod, fondly known as Aunty Belle, was a respected Elder. Born in 1927, Belle’s early life reflected the challenges faced by many Aboriginal families of her generation. Her family was relocated in the 1960s by the Aborigines Protection Board from the South Coast to Green Valley near Liverpool in Sydney, a displacement she later chronicled in her book Shade and Shelter: The Story of Aboriginal Family Resettlement (1982), offering insight into the experiences of Aboriginal families navigating government resettlement programs.

Aunty Belle dedicated her life to supporting her community and nurturing cultural pride. Regarded as ‘a big influencer’ in her community, she was part of the National Aboriginal Congress as well as helping to set up the local Aboriginal Legal Service, Aboriginal Medical Centre and the Aboriginal Cultural Centres. As a great grandmother of 74, she spent a lot of time mentoring younger generations and fostering connection to community.

An article in Dawn Magazine highlights her steadfast presence at community gatherings, including accompanying young people to church services, where she shared her love of music and guitar. Local media celebrated her achievements, noting her “lifetime of contributions working for Aboriginal people” and acknowledging her as a pillar of Shoalhaven society.

Belle’s commitment to family and community was widely recognised; she was affectionately remembered in the South Coast Register as a woman whose dedication and legacy endures through the generations she guided, the stories she preserved, and the cultural strength she helped sustain. Aunty Belle passed away in 2015.