This story is part of an ongoing series in the North Central Review aimed at showcasing and celebrating the people of our region. To nominate a worthy contributor to our region, email news@ncreview.com.au or send a message to our Facebook page.
By Max Davies
Not only has Kelly Scott established herself as a leading funeral director in Victoria’s north central region, but she has also been appointed the national president of the Australian Funeral Directors Association, AFDA, for the next two years.
A fourth-generation funeral director, Ms Scott has worked in the industry for more than 30 years.
She is currently the general manager of her family’s business TJ Scott and Son, which has offices in Kilmore, Gisborne and Kyneton.
She works with her father John and brother Daniel at TJ Scott and Son – a company founded in 1938 and a member of the AFDA for most of its history.
Ms Scott’s father also served as the AFDA national president from 2009 to 2011, making them the first father-daughter pairing to ever serve in the role.
“To be able to follow in [my dad’s] footsteps is such an honour. I’m absolutely thrilled to follow him because he’s been just an incredible funeral director and role model for me,” Ms Scott said.
“We’ve got to give the best of ourselves and like my dad, my passion is community and connection.
“As an association, we support our members, and someone has to put up their hand to do that.
“My dad and my brother know the importance of this work because they know it’s really important that our whole community, whether we’re doing a funeral for them or not, knows they have a choice of a really good quality experience and funeral director to help them through.”
The AFDA acts as a professional authority to help regulate the funeral industry as there is no government regulation in place, meaning anyone could start a funeral directors business with no prior experience or qualifications.
There are multiple smaller associations across Australia operating in the same industry, however the AFDA is the largest in the country and has members in every state and territory.
Ms Scott said her role as national president was mostly about government advocacy, however upholding professional standards was a top priority.
“It’s basically about promoting professional standards because recently we’ve heard of some people out there that aren’t doing the right thing, so we make sure that we make our members accountable,” she said.
“We have a code of ethics, a code of practice and a constitution and all those things to help professionalise the industry itself. We feel that’s really important so that families can get the best service possible when they’re at a time of loss and vulnerable.”
Ms Scott said a mission for her during her time as national president was to meet and connect with as many different industry figures from around the world, and learn about their ideas and practices.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to meet directors from all over the world,” she said.
“I’ve just attended a conference in New Zealand, which was fantastic. I met someone who showed me they can compress ashes into these beautiful smooth stones that can then be engraved. I wouldn’t have even known about that, so meeting those like-minded people is just so enriching.
“It’s a real privilege and a big commitment [to be president], but we want everyone to have a positive experience when they’re organising a funeral.
“We’re looking to make sure that we’ve got really great professional members who can be supporting each other so they can keep doing what they’re doing.”
