‘They are my extended family’: AHL’s Elizabeth Sherriff

Image: Three generations of AHL employees, (Elizabeth’s granddaughter) Debrah King, Elizabeth Sherriff and (Elizabeth’s daughter) Linda Morrison.

Proud Palawa woman Elizabeth Sherriff, Hostel Manager at Aboriginal Hostels Limited’s (AHL) Allawah Grove Hostel in Boorloo (Perth), comes to work every day to provide a family atmosphere and ‘home away from home’ for the hostel’s First Nations residents.

Elizabeth started working at AHL almost 27 years ago and continues to welcome and support countless residents who stay at AHL.

‘I have had the pleasure of setting up and opening (AHL’s former) Kununurra Hostel, South Hedland Hostel and Trilby Cooper Hostel. I have also worked at many hostels across Australia training staff. I managed Trilby Cooper, Derbal Bidjar and for the past 20 years I have managed Allawah Grove Hostel’ Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth was born in Hobart Tasmania in 1949 into a large family, where she learned the value of hard work.

My mother passed away in 1987 at 81 years old. She finally gave up working when she was 74 years old. We were a very close family, all taking care of each other. I remember my father always telling me that nothing in life is free and if I wanted anything then I had to work for it.

Due to Elizabeth’s grounded upbringing, it is not surprising she has flourished in the housing and hospitality sector.

‘The residents at Allawah Grove, many of whom have returned many times, have become my extended family. I have so much respect for them and they give it back to me twofold. I have learnt much of their culture while at the same time have taught them about my culture,’ Elizabeth said.

Not only has Elizabeth made a meaningful impact on the residents; but her son, daughter, granddaughter and late husband have all worked (or still work) at AHL.

My son Ricky and daughter Linda also work at AHL.

My late husband Raymond was the Night Attendant at Allawah Grove Hostel until he passed away in 2008.

‘I have raised my daughter and son as caring people. Both my granddaughter and my daughter are very caring people who respect our people and their needs,’ Elizabeth said.

AHL Frontline Services Director Deanne Bear believes that family connections are pivotal to forming identity and belonging within the First Nations community.

‘AHL is blessed to have Elizabeth and her family members working at AHL, to share their wisdom and cultural understanding with our First Nations residents,’ she said.

Allawah Grove Hostel is one of AHL’s 12 Health and Medical hostels, catering for First Nations residents who need to be away from home to access medical services including renal dialysis.

Organisations like AHL play an important role in closing the gap through providing culturally-appropriate health services. They contribute to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled service sector to deliver services to close the gap.

Elizabeth said that she sees many residents who are quite unwell and she strives to support them with a caring approach.

‘What may seem a minor illness to most people can be very detrimental for them. I believe AHL allows me to treat each person as an individual, as their medical condition is a scary thing to them and if I can help or put their minds at ease, I find they do not feel so isolated.

Caring helps curing. We also like for the residents to feel that Allawah Grove is a home away from home.

Elizabeth has achieved a lot in her lifetime, including having a very sporty year back in 1988, where she was captain of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Netball Team playing in South Australia. She won the National Aboriginal Sports Star Award in Brisbane and was a Tasmanian State Darts Team member. Elizabeth is also a two-time recipient of the Australia Day Medal, both received while working at AHL.

‘It is truly difficult to cover Elizabeth’s vast and rewarding life in a few words, however we hope she understands how much we appreciate all she has achieved at AHL,’ said Deanne.

To find out more about Allawah Grove Hostel, visit AHL’s Allawah Grove Hostel’s webpage.

Top left: Elizabeth with her Australia Day Award.

Top right: Elizabeth Sherriff with Lionel Rose MBE.

Bottom left: Elizabeth with former AHL General Manager Keith Clarke OAM. 

Bottom right: Elizabeth Sherriff with Uncle Charlie Perkins AO.