Nancy Hillier Lecture | Climate Justice — new community activism

History of the lecture and in memory of Nancy Hillier
In 2016, staff in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of New South Wales proposed an annual lecture to commemorate the life and work of Nancy Hillier OAM, a prominent figure in the Botany Community, instigator of significant community services across many fields, and a life time supporter of education and scholarship.
The inaugural lecture took place at NSW Parliament House in August 2016. Botany Bay City Council and now the new Bayside City Council agreed to host and co-fund the lecture as an ongoing annual event, in conjunction with UNSW. Development of the lecture series has involved UNSW staff, Botany Bay community members, Bayside Council staff and councilors, Botany Historical Trust, NSW government MPs, and Nancy’s family.
Nancy’s many contributions to the development of services, to championing the interests of residents, and to protection of the environment in the Botany Bay region, are very well known. Her legacy is aptly summarized in the title of her SMH obituary as the “Relentless rebel with many causes”.
Moving to Botany at 17, and faced with the inexorable development of the suburb in which she found herself, Nancy became embroiled in what became her life’s work – fighting for justice for local residents, the community and the environment. From extensions to the port of Botany through to industrial contamination, there was much to confront.
A natural organizer, Nancy always led from the front, which did not go unrecognized. Named 1985 Botany Council citizen of the year, she worked tirelessly in her community, often challenging industry and governments at the highest levels. She received a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2006.
Nancy was also tireless in assisting academics and students, many from UNSW, in their research and teaching projects. She also co-authored academic analysis, and wrote many reports, submissions, letters and other public documents. Her own extensive archive is held by Bayside's local Library.
This lecture series acknowledges Nancy’s heritage, recalling her work and passion while providing an avenue for others to debate issues that resonate with Nancy’s work. Over the years, the annual event will help forge scholarly and broader community relationships and commitments.
The general theme of the lecture series is community participation in the achievement of social and environmental objectives.
Each year, at least one presentation will be given by a young emerging community leader. This recognizes the important perspective of a younger generation, and reminds us that the necessity to ‘pass the baton’ to emerging leaders and activists was amongst Nancy’s greatest passions.

With thanks to all the contributors above, and to others who assisted to initiate and organise this event:
Bayside City Council: staff and councilors
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences UNSW: Events and Media team.
Parliament House staff, and the office of MLC Cate Faehrmann

Presenters
Jean Hinchliffe is a 15-year-old school student and climate activist. As the Sydney group founder and lead national organiser within School Strike 4 Climate, she campaigns for legislative action to end the climate crisis. She first initiated her activist journey at the age of thirteen through volunteering with the Vote Yes campaign for marriage equality, before becoming involved with GetUp and Stop Adani. However, it was only in late 2018 that she started to focus on the climate crisis above other issues. When she isn’t trying to save the world, Jean works as a professional actress.