Thomas Bennell was also known as by his Nyungar name Yelakitj - 'man of good hearing'. Yelakitj was a Whadjuk and Ballardong man; he learnt stories of Whadjuk and Ballardong people from Elders and was considered to be a minder of Nyungar stories. He was the son of Kate Collard and Dooram Bennell of Brookton. He married Muriel McGuire who was the daughter of Doolyak and John McGuire. Yelakitj Moort Nyungar Association Incorporated is an organisation that has been named after him.