Ellen Sarah Kettle MBE (c. 21 April 1922 – 2 August 1999) was an Australian nurse and midwife who pioneered mobile health care in isolated areas of the Northern Territory of Australia.

This prompted her to write to the Director of Health in Canberra to enquire about the opportunity to work in the Northern Territory.

[2] Ellen describes her surroundings after commencing at the Yuendumu Clinic as “there were about 400 desert people, few of whom knew any English and I didn’t their language.

[7][8] Many of her personal papers are available through Library & Archives NT including: Ellen Kettle Manuscript Collection 1952-1997 (MS 12).

Another collection is held by the National Library of Australia: Papers of Ellen Sarah Kettle, 1969-1978 [manuscript] (MS 8114).