'Fierce and defiant' disability advocate remembered after drowning

South Australia mourns the loss of Ellen Fraser-Barbour, a beacon of fierce advocacy for the disability community. Dr. Fraser-Barbour, who was deafblind and autistic, tragically drowned at Ellery Creek Big Hole near Alice Springs on Sunday afternoon, despite valiant efforts by bystanders and paramedics to save her life.

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Ellen was a fierce and defiant force who made a lasting impact on all that she encountered.

At 35 years old, Ellen was a passionate force, leaving behind a profound legacy that touched countless lives. Her sister, Harriet, shared the immense void her passing leaves, stating, "Ellen was a fierce and defiant force who made a lasting impact on all that she encountered." She was not only a dedicated advocate but also a cherished friend and a source of wisdom, deeply impacting those around her.

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We cannot describe the hole she will leave in our family and will missed greatly by her community.

Ellen's influence extended across various facets of disability advocacy. Sam Paior, founder of The Growing Space, recalled their early collaboration and Ellen's extensive work, noting, "I don't think that there's almost any area of disability related advocacy that Ellen hasn't touched and had a positive influence, with incredible power, in our state." Her research, culminating in a PhD from Flinders University in 2024, focused on improving safety and respect for individuals in group home settings, always centering their voices and experiences.

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Ellen helped to shape so much of who I am today and I will not be the same without her.

Her contributions were recognized by JFA Purple Orange, where she served as a policy and research leader. Interim CEO Tracey Wallace highlighted Ellen's significant impact, stating, "Dr Ellen used her strong research and advocacy skills developed in completing her PhD on safety, belonging and agency in shared disability accommodation to make a significant contribution in many important policy areas." Ellen was instrumental in organizing the first Disability Election Forum for the South Australian 2026 election, a testament to her commitment to policy change and her enduring legacy.

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I don't think that there's almost any area of disability related advocacy that Ellen hasn't touched and had a positive influence, with incredible power, in our state.