At 48 years old, Loretta Abbott’s life is a shining example of strength, resilience and cultural pride. A proud Aboriginal woman, Loretta carries the legacy of two strong lineages. From her father’s side she comes from Ntaria, Hermannsburg and Wallace Rock Hole and from her mother’s side she belongs to the Mt Allen community.
Born the eldest of three siblings, with a younger brother and sister, Loretta’s journey has taken her across Central Australia and beyond, shaped by her deep cultural roots and a passion for helping her people.
Loretta began her schooling years in the 1980s at Traeger Park in Mparntwe (Alice Springs). At just 7 years old, she was raised by her beloved Nana, a powerful influence who helped nurture Loretta’s identity and values. By age 10, she returned to her mother’s country of Mt Allen, which she would call home for the next 15 years.
It was here, in community, that Loretta began her first job collecting eggs from the chook yard to supply the local community shop. This sparked a long and meaningful career in community service and support. She later became a casual tour guide, proudly sharing the beauty of Mt Allen’s lands with visitors and school groups, connecting others to Country in her own unique way.
At 27, Loretta moved to Laramba, beginning a 10-year journey there. She worked as an Early Childhood Educator at the local school, supported by the Central Desert Regional Council, helping guide and teach young children with care and patience. Her career continued to grow as she took on the role of Aged Care Support Worker and later Supervisor in Laramba. It was here Loretta discovered her true calling and caring for her people, across all generations.
After leaving Laramba, Loretta wasn’t sure what was next so she followed her heart and travelled across communities, connecting with family, country and culture. Wherever she went, her skills and strong work ethic opened doors. She worked at Ayers Rock Resort in Yulara from 2015 to 2017 as a cleaner under the Real Jobs Program, once again proving her adaptability and commitment.
In 2018 Loretta continued to travel the APY Lands and in 2020, Covid-19 had Loretta residing in community until she finally returned home to Mparntwe (Alice Springs) in 2022. A fluent speaker of Western Arrernte and Anmatyerre, she also understands six other Aboriginal languages Warlpiri, Pitjantjatjara, Luritja, Alyawarre, Pintupi (WA), and Larrakia (Top End). Her multilingual skills are a powerful gift that helps her build trust and connection wherever she goes.
In July 2024, Loretta joined Saltbush, participating in the Strong and Resilient Communities (SARC) Women’s Program, progressing into the Foundation 2 Future 6-week employability training. It was here she connected with Yeperenye Centre Management and was introduced to the Aboriginal Community Engagement (ACE) team.
Loretta is now a fulltime employee of the Yeperenye team in the role of Aboriginal Community Engagement (ACE) Officer.
In this role, she uses her deep cultural knowledge and language skills to engage with community members, listen to their stories and help create a safer, more welcoming space for all.
Her presence has made a positive difference whether it’s having a yarn, resolving issues, or simply offering a warm smile and a listening ear, Loretta embodies what community support should look like. Her ability to connect through culture and language is valued by the Centre and to the people of Mparntwe as she is able to connect with clients on a deeper level. Loretta Abbott’s journey from the chook yard of Mt Allen to Yeperenye is one of growth, pride and purpose. Her story is one of many that prove the power of resilience, culture and community spirit.