Emilie Hill

Emilie Hill (’15) reflects on how her three years as a Loreto boarder gave her the courage to step outside her comfort zone, ultimately leading her to achievements in AFLW umpiring and a rewarding career in audiology.

Emilie in her own words:

“When I reflect on my experience at Loreto, the first thing that comes to mind is how it shaped me into the person I am today. As a 14 year old Clare girl, I embarked on a huge life change by moving to Adelaide to start as a boarder in 2013. At the time I was a self conscious and quiet girl who was absolutely terrified about the unfamiliarity of living in a boarding house away from the family. I remember the day my parents left me there and I was questioning the whole decision. Within a day or two I had connected with a group of girls who all were all feeling the same and a real bond formed. The friendships I made at Loreto are lifelong and a key part of why I can speak so positively about my experience. Whilst I was only there for the last three years of my schooling, I am forever grateful for the impact it made on my life. That shy, introverted girl left as an empowered young lady ready to take on the challenges of the world. The sense of community, the supportive environment and lack of judgement I experienced, allowed me to feel safe and flourish into the person I have become.

At the same time I embarked on my boarding journey, I began umpiring footy. The new found confidence I was experiencing gave me the courage to try my hand in goal umpiring, which at the time was largely a male dominated industry. I was inspired by Chelsea Roffey, the first female to umpire an AFL grand final who demonstrated that gender clearly wasn’t a barrier in the umpiring world. I loved that she was a trailblazer in such a unique sport and was breaking down stereotypes. I started umpiring in the Adelaide Footy League when I was in Year 11 and I was fully supported by the boarding house to attend training during the week and games on Saturdays. Once I finished school, I was invited to join the SANFL where I noticed the female participation increase. I umpired my first SANFL league game in 2019, which was the same year I was selected as part of the AFLW goal umpiring panel. 2023 was a landmark year for me where I was named the All Australian goal umpire from the AFLW competition and had the privilege of umpiring the 2023 AFLW grand final. I was incredibly proud of these achievements as it was essentially a reflection of the previous 10 years of commitment and hard work. 

In 2025 I moved to Brisbane and began umpiring football in the VFL and continued umpiring AFLW, whilst also being rookie listed on the AFL list. This role involves being the emergency umpire for Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns games in Queensland. I have loved this experience as I have learned so much from fellow umpires and being exposed to the AFL system. At the end of the 2025 AFLW season I was named the Umpiring Rising Star, which acknowledges an umpire's potential to umpire footy nationally at the top level. This was presented at the AFLW awards in Melbourne where I was lucky enough to have my family attend with me.

Outside of umpiring, I completed a Bachelor of Health and Medical Science, majoring in childhood and reproductive health at the University of Adelaide in 2022. In 2023, I began a Master of Audiology at Flinders university and now work as an accredited Audiologist in a private clinic in Brisbane. This career allows my health science side to flourish while helping people hear again and improving their lifestyle. Actually, the move to Brisbane has almost felt a little full circle, as I moved into a house walking distance from Loreto Coorparoo and can hear the school bells. To top it off, one of my housemates happened to be a Loreto Coorparoo girl, which really highlights the wider sense of community we have. 

I often talk about the profound impact Loreto had on me with family and friends. It shaped me into the confident, eager, and hardworking person I am today. I truly don’t think I would have had the confidence to step so far out of my comfort zone and try goal umpiring if it weren’t for the values Loreto taught me and the empowerment I walked away with. I’ll also be forever grateful to my family for providing me with the opportunity to be part of this community.”