Victor Hill Oral History

DETAILS

Overview
Victor Hill reflects on more than five decades of life in the Mary Valley, offering a rich account of migration, farming, community life, and environmental activism. Arriving from England in 1958 as a young “five pound Pom,” Hill spent his early Australian years jackarooing in remote parts of South Australia and the Nullarbor before settling with his wife Helga in Happy Jack Creek in 1970. The couple purchased and restored a rundown dairy farm, later expanding under the Dairy Farm Amalgamation Scheme. Hill describes challenging early years marked by drought, poor commodity prices and invasive groundsel, necessitating off farm income through Helga’s physiotherapy work and his own seed harvesting employment.

Hill provides detailed insight into the evolution of local community life: the former tight knit farming district, volunteer fire brigade operations, mail and grocery services, and the transformation triggered by subdivision. He served actively in local organisations, notably as President of the Cooroy Primary School P&C and as long standing Fire Warden.

A significant portion of Hill’s recollections focuses on the Traveston Dam proposal, which he passionately opposed through extensive public signage and advocacy. He recounts the social disruption the proposal caused and the community’s jubilation when it was ultimately abandoned. Hill also reflects on fishing traditions, family life, and his experience during COVID 19, noting limited disruption to his rural lifestyle.

IDENTIFIERS

Subject (Keywords)DevelopmentDamsFarming

CONNECTIONS

PersonVictor HillSchoolCooroy State SchoolMenuDecade | 2020-2029

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