HILL William Charles John
accountant, soldier, philanthropist and volunteer worker 1913-2009

John Hill was born in Sydney to James William and Mary Hill. He was educated at Glebe Superior School and Junior Technical School. In 1934 he began work as an Accountant for the Electric Light and Power Corporation, and after the war was chief accountant for Behr Manning and Arcos Industries. He then became involved with Co-Operative Building Societies, becoming President of the Co-Operative Housing Societies Association of NSW in 1981.

As a youth Jack lived in the then poor suburb of Glebe and and became a foundation member of 3rd Glebe Scout Troop, retaining an interest in Scouting for the rest of his life. After attending the World Scout Jamboree in England, he began working for the Scouts Association of NSW until 1934. His contribution was recognised in 1954 by award of the MBE.

During the 1930s John was a Rover Scout and spent most weekends involved in running the Baden Powell Scout Training Centre Pennant Hills. In early 2002 he was advised of the need for a new training Centre at the Pennant Hills campsite and agreed to pay for the building which was named the John 7 Hill Training Centre, opened in 2004. In 2002, remembering how he had been helped by others back in 1929 to attend the Jamboree in England, he established the John & Marie Hill World Scout Jamboree Fund to provide for 10 scouts to attend the Jamboree in the various countries where it is held.

John joined the Citizen Military Forces AASC in 1939, was commissioned in 1940 and joined the AIF, seeing active service in the Middle East, and in the Pacific as Capt RAASC then DADS on HQ 1st Army, reaching the rank of major. He moved to the Reserve of Officers in July 1947, then rejoined the CMF in 1952, was promoted lieutenant colonel in 1961, serving latterly as CO of 1 SRD then 1 RASO, as ADST HQ Eastern Command, and finally CO 8 ST Colm Randwick. He retired with the honorary rank of colonel in 1970.

In 1948 John joined the RAASC Officers Association, eventually becoming President until 2008. When he retired from the Citizens Military Forces in 1970 John purchased a property at Tallong near Goulburn to become a Pitt Street farmer. When he heard that the Trinity Catholic College Cadet Unit needed somewhere to hold training camps and bivouacs. he made his property available to them.

John supported more than 40 charities during his life and was recognised for his philanthropy on Australia Day 2007 by award of the OAM.

He married Marie McLean (dec 1989) in 1941: whilst they did not have any children they were always interested in those of their many friends. John passed away on 18 May 2009 at age 96.