December 4, 2024

Liz Hilton Fellows delve into history of women’s activism in the Illawarra

Archival research examines five decades of political and social movements, with focus on domestic violence

A new research project will bring to life the forgotten and long-buried voices of the Illawarra’s women’s rights activists, illuminating the thread that ties the past to the present.

Dr Emma Darragh and Dr Ellie Crookes have been named the 2024/2025 recipients of the University of Wollongong’s (UOW) Liz Hilton Memorial Fellowship, which will allow them to dig into the University’s extensive archives and bring to life the neglected history of women’s advocacy movements in the region, from the 1970s to now.

The Liz Hilton Memorial Fellowship supports students or staff of UOW Australia to undertake a sustained period of research or study using the University’s archival collections.

It was established in 2022 following an extraordinary bequest from the estate of the late Elisabeth Hilton, a committed UOW staff member, passionate advocate, Honorary Fellow, dedicated volunteer and donor.

In their project, ‘Women’s Mission to Women: Women’s Rights Advocacy in the Illawarra (1970-2025)’, Dr Darragh and Dr Crookes will explore the social and political movements, particularly around domestic violence, helmed by Illawarra’s women over the last five decades.

Dr Darragh said the fellowship was the perfect opportunity for the two academics to delve into the rich archives to pursue a project they were equally passionate about.

“Using the ‘Women Illawarra’ archives as our base, this project seeks to shine a light on social and political movements (especially around domestic violence) helmed by Illawarra’s women over the last fifty years. We undertake this work to honour woman activists of Illawarra’s past and present, but also to delineate how the problems of the past continue in our present,” Dr Darragh said.

“Both of us grew up in Wollongong, and we both studied here, but we hadn’t crossed paths until we met at a discipline meeting a couple of years ago. We’ve been friends ever since. We also share similar research interests (putting it broadly, stories by and about women), so when we saw the call-out for applications for the fellowship, we couldn’t resist the opportunity to put our heads together to see how we might engage with, and contribute to, the archives.”

Both based in UOW’s School of the Arts, English and Media, Dr Crookes is a literary scholar and historian while Dr Darragh is an award-winning novelist and creative-writing academic.

Their project is both historical and creative. The historical project is steered by Dr Crookes, with Dr Darragh using the research as inspiration for creative reflections. Together they will give voice and bring life to these stories, some of which have been long buried in the archive.

“To work on a project about women with one of my favourite women is a real privilege and an honour. Our hopes for this project are twofold: that it will function as a memorialisation of women’s activism in our hometown, and that it will open up a broader discussion around women’s struggles and women’s resistance,” Dr Crookes said.

The Liz Hilton Memorial Fellowship will provide financial support to researchers undertaking work on or about collections housed in the UOW Archives. A total of $200,000 will be invested to fund the Fellowship, valued at $7,000.

Elisabeth Hilton (1939 - 2020) or Liz as she was affectionately known, made an extraordinary impact on the lives of many during her time at UOW.

She joined the University College in 1973 as a Lab Assistant to support the development of academic teaching skills and went on to become the Head of International House Hall and the new Kooloobong residential complex.

Liz’s passion about education and giving back to the community has had a remarkable impact in giving UOW a competitive advantage over other universities.

In 2000, after serving under three Vice-Chancellors, Liz retired from her official roles at the University. She was awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Special Award for Outstanding and Exceptional Achievement.

In 2004, she was conferred a University Fellowship for her tireless advocacy and contribution to the University.

In an article published a few years after she received her Fellowship, Liz talked about why she had decided to leave a bequest to UOW in her Will. 

“Even with a very modest estate it’s a treat to provide gifts for worthy causes. When I first made my Will, I thought about all the people who were important to me and then the causes that were important to me and where I could make an impact,” she said. 

“UOW is one of my beneficiaries. I like the place and I know that even my small bequest to this big and diverse institution will make a difference.”