Ruth was born in Sydney and belongs to the Wiradjuri and Ngyampar people from the Snowy Mountains. Since infancy, she grew up away from her family. At the age of nine, Ruth was made a Ward of the State and she was put into foster care, where she remained until she was seventeen.
After her time in foster care, Ruth was homeless and living on the streets of Sydney. Hyde Park became her home. Eventually, Ruth found employment and a secure place to live.
Ruth moved to Western Australia in 1968 and has lived here since. She lived in Geraldton and many other places up through the Murchison regions. While in Nullagine in 1980, Ruth spent time connecting with the Aboriginal community. After having her first child, Ruth moved to Perth and was heavily involved in setting up the Ronald McDonald House, which was first named the “House of Life”.
Given her past experiences, Ruth has always had a passion for helping children and has been involved with fundraising for community agencies.
In the late 1990s, Ruth researched her family background for the first time in her life and discovered who her siblings were. At this same time, Ruth also became aware of her Aboriginality.
Ruth connected with Kinship Connections in 2008 and became more involved in the local Aboriginal community. Ruth is now is a proud board member of Kinship Connections
Aboriginal Corporation.