Oliver’s year gets even ‘greater’

Only a few months ago, Alfredton Rotary Club president Jill Oliver was inducted onto the roll of Ballarat’s Great Women by the Ballarat Foundation.

The theme of greatness continues for Oliver in 2026 as she has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia this King’s Birthday for her service to the community in a range of roles.

Oliver aims to improve health, housing and opportunity for people in need across the region and beyond through leadership and philanthropy.

She has been essential to the establishment of the Community Care Centre Ballarat, supporting women escaping violence and families in crisis, and is a former director of the Rotary Foundation.

As charter president of the Rotary Club of Alfredton, Oliver was key to building a women-led club and later served as assistant governor for Rotary District 9780.

She revived the Apex Art Show, coordinated Eat Up Australia school lunches, spent eight years working with the international organisation Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children, and led major aid shipments to Vanuatu.

Oliver’s drive to serve stems from her parents. Her father was a Rotarian for over 40 years and was also part of forming Alfredton Rotary.

She now works in an advisory capacity to the Oliver Family Foundation, making recommendations to its board.

Beneficiaries have included Ballarat Regional Industries, McCallum Disability Services, Uniting Vic/Tas Breezeway meals program, Uniting Emergency response centre, and St John of God and Grampians Health hospitals.

-WITH EVIE LAMB