Kelsi Forrest is a Whajuk, Ballardong Nyoongar, Yamatji and Wongi on her Father’s side and Mineng Nyoongar on her Mother’s side. She grew up in Geraldton but most of her family reside all over the WA south in Perth, Kalgoorlie and Albany.
Kelsi was supported by a MADALAH scholarship to study at the University of Western Australia. The scholarship helped her out immensely because it meant she had less negative financial distractions and also access to a variety of leadership opportunities. Kelsi attended the Tertiary Leadership Conference in 2011 and said “it was a great experience to meet like-minded university students from around the country. Overall the scholarship was of great value to assist me whilst at university.”
In 2016, Kelsi graduated from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Law and Arts, majoring in Political Science and Indigenous Knowledge. She was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Western Australia in December 2017 and the High Court of Australia in March 2018.
Currently Kelsi works for Roe Legal Services in the Indigenous Law Team on native title and heritage matters as well as advice and representation for native title prescribed body corporates. In 2018, Kelsi was name 2018 Piddie Award Winner – Junior Lawyer of the Year due to her work in providing quality advice and support in regional areas with Aboriginal elders.
