Whilst her parents were active Rotarians, Jill’s involvement in Rotary came about through her children's school, which was sending aid to East Timor through Donations in Kind where she had become an active volunteer. This led to her being invited to join Rotary Kew and run the Maternity Pack project with the Alola Foundation, supporting women and children of Timor-Leste to build a better future.
Through Rotary Kew’s International Director, Jill discovered the hidden secret for anyone with a passion for philanthropy—Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS), through which tax-deductible donations can be made to local and International projects.
Jill’s fundraising for organisations in Timor-Leste has also helped support the development of the preschool education curriculum and Tetum literature (Tetum being one of the two main languages spoken in Timor-Leste). She has made annual trips to East Timor where she has seen positive progress through the Alola Foundation, and Kor Timor, a key Rotary Kew economic development project focused on job creation and training. Through this RAWCS registered project, enterprises are set up in soap making, papermaking, packaging, sewing rooms, panel beating, horticulture, organic oil pressing, and traditional weaving. As a result, over 1,000 meals are provided every day for workers and their extended families. Kor Timor, now fully managed by local Timor-Leste people, supports over 25 staff to have sustainable and meaningful employment.
Jill has found that one project often leads to another. Job creation in Timor-Leste led to Jill setting up a pop up shop each Christmas to support the enterprise Fair-Trade producer groups. This now operates six days per week as a sustainable enterprise run by volunteers, and helps fund local projects, as well as international projects in Nepal and Laos.
Jill has also been actively involved in Life after Stroke, assisting with setting up the Boroondara Stroke Support Group, the first of four self-help stroke hubs in Victoria.
Creating jobs, being entrepreneurial, multiplying funds, and supporting others who are keen about working towards improved outcomes for social justice are Jill's passions, all of which she has been able to pursue through Rotary.