5 Minutes with Caroline Hill

This month our member in focus is Caroline Hill who runs her own community development consultancy business, Epic Proposals.

Epic Proposals consulting service supports strategic community development, stakeholder engagement and project and program management. Epic Proposals offers a personalised and professional consulting service to support organisations with a range of community development tools, knowledge and skills to meet their goals and impact social change. Seeking to empower and inspire innovation in community organisations to affect change by providing the resources required to be effective.

1/ Who is Caroline?

 I grew up in Southern Adelaide as the oldest of three girls.  I loved playing netball and softball and finished my schooling at Mitcham Girls High School.  I moved to Mount Gambier 24 years ago with my job and met my husband Troy, and we have a daughter Teagan and son, Riley. 

2/ Your main professional areas you have worked in over the years.  

 I have had a diverse career in the human service sector,  

• Mainly as a Police Officer for 20 years (Prosecutor & Family Violence Investigator), 
• an Education Manager (overseeing a school retention program in the Limestone Coast, for vulnerable youth), 
• and now as a Health Program Manager (providing Allied Health services to vulnerable people in the Limestone Coast, Mallee, and Kangaroo Island). 

I also have a business, Epic Proposals, where I work as a Community Development Consultant.  I draw on my stakeholder engagement and program experience to foster collaboration, innovation and build organisational capacity and performance for community businesses wanting to make a difference.

3/ Biggest challenge you have faced professionally or personally.

My biggest challenge and sometimes, my most rewarding work has been advocating for the needs and safety of marginalised people in our community. Influencing change is slow and hard in large organisations, and sustainability is dependent on funding rounds. I am passionate about empowering authentic community collaboration and inspiring innovation to affect social justice change. This passion prompted me to leave Government after 26 years and concentrate on working at the ground roots of community change. This change has been refreshing and allowed me to live my truth and pursue causes I can make a difference to. 

4/ Your favourite place to visit in the Limestone Coast & Western Victoria area. 

I love to travel anywhere coastal with my family in our caravan, and we have had many holidays in Robe, Port Macdonnell and Warrnambool.  My best memories are with my family at beaches and holiday parks with lots of bike riding and laughter.

5/ Recommendation for our members to take away 

Knowledge is empowering, and as a lifelong learner, I am always pursuing new and alternative ways to learn how to make a difference to others. I am inspired by the incredible women in WIBRD and our community. I believe we can all lift others and make things happen just by listening, learning, and sharing our knowledge and efforts.