Norma Hill: a true role model

On Tuesday, June 13, 2023, Norma Joan Hill, wife of Cliff, mother of Raymond (Marc) and Leesa, passed away, aged 82 years.

Norma was born in Quirindi on December 12, 1940, the first of three children to Albury and Ester Galvin.

Albury and Ester welcomed a sister for Norma, Patricia (Pat), in May 1942, and brother Keith (Charles) in August 1944.

The siblings spent their childhood at Spring Ridge, and later moved to Henry Street in Gunnedah.

Norma began her schooling at Spring Ridge Primary School and went on to attend Quirindi High School.

However, Norma wasn’t particularly keen on becoming a scholar. Her favourite part of school was always sport, and Norma loved playing vigoro, cricket, and tunnel ball.

The family lived a simple life, with the girls helping their mother around the house.

In the paddocks, Charles would be helping Albury, a renowned horse trainer, with his work with horses.

The siblings were close, but not without the occasional rivalry.

One day Norma cut off one of her sister’s plaits because Pat happened to be the owner of beautiful curls, and Norma sadly, wasn’t.

Ester had to then drive the 30 miles into town to the hairdressers to rectify the damage.

Norma loved oranges, and whilst walking home from school one day, she spotted an orange tree in a neighbour’s garden. She was aware there was a large, blue cattle dog in the yard.

After a quick look around with no dog in sight, Norma thought she’d try her luck and pick an orange.

Over the fence she climbed, and had just about reached the tree, when racing out came the dog.

Poor Norma took off running, but the dog was faster than her and latched onto her leg.

Norma’s screams could be heard all the way down the street.

When Ester came running to see what the commotion was, she found Norma screaming whilst trying to climb over the fence, with the dog barking away and Norma, unfortunately, without an orange.

When Norma finished her school years at Quirindi High School, she started her first job at Fosseys department store in Gunnedah.

At the time, she couldn’t believe her luck, as maths wasn’t her strong subject.

Norma, however, was very good at counting with her fingers, and indeed still counted on her fingers at the age of 82, much to the amusement of her grandchildren.

After working at Fosseys for a while, Norma thought she might like to become a nurse, with the main attraction to the job being that she loved the look of the uniform.

After a farewell at Fosseys where she was presented with a nurse’s watch as a parting gift, Norma embarked on her new career.

This new career, however, only lasted a day and a half. Norma was dismayed – she didn’t realise she had to look after patients, and the sight of blood was even worse.

Regrettably, this was the end of her bright idea of becoming a nurse.

Norma humbly returned to see the manager of Fosseys, who gladly gave her back her job.

Sisters Norma and Pat loved to dance, and attended several dances at Spring Ridge, Premer and Tambar Springs, where Frank Bourke and the White Rose Orchestra famously played.

It was during this time that Norma encountered a chance meeting with a young man by the name of Cliff Hill.

Coincidently, Cliff’s brother Frank and his girlfriend Clare were in Gunnedah one day to collect Ester and give her a lift to Spring Ridge, and Cliff just happened to be in the car at the time.

Norma, who had been waiting with her mother, thought Cliff was very handsome.

A little bit later, when Norma was in Narrabri for the October long weekend, she ran into friend Kevin Ruff, and she took the opportunity to enquire about Cliff.

Kevin said he had only just been talking to Cliff, and would she like to meet him? The rest, as they say, is history.

Norma only had eyes for Cliff from that moment on.

The couple enjoyed a courtship for a year and were married on August 26, 1961, at the Anglican Church in Gunnedah, with the reception and celebrations held at the Courthouse Hotel.

Cliff and Norma spent their honeymoon at Uralla, and upon returning, the pair moved into a relative’s house in Gibbons Street, Narrabri, and shared the house with Cliff’s brother Frank and his now wife Clare.

The couple later moved into their own home in Ugoa Street, where they spent the rest of their married life.

Norma and Cliff welcomed two children, Raymond Marc, born in September 1963, and Leesa Patricia, born in November 1967.

It was around this time, after the children were born, that Norma decided that Cliff should give rugby league away, as Sundays had always been taken up with Cliff and his younger brother Kevin playing the game and afterwards enjoying customary drinks, ‘Fluffy Ducks’ and ‘Blackberry Nips’ with their cousin, Heather Hill .

The point was made very clear, when after what Norma felt should be the last season, she threw Cliff’s boots into the Narrabri Creek behind the grandstand.

This was in the days when the game was broadcast on the radio, which captured the whole event.

However, this brave feat did not work as new boots were purchased, and Cliff was back playing rugby league the following year.

Norma continued working for Fosseys in Narrabri after she was married. She worked there for years and made many friends for life, those who she felt were her second family.

Norma later worked for Maree and Wayne Wheeler at the Caltex service station, which was a challenge she was proud of as she overcame her fear of new technology.

When Norma and Cliff’s daughter Leesa married young Narrabri local Lex Cameron, the couple welcomed their first two grandchildren – Amee, born in February 1991, and Sarah, born in November 1995.

The couple’s son Marc celebrated his marriage to fiancé Tracey Day on the same date as Norma and Cliff, August 26, 1995, and two years later they welcomed the arrival of granddaughters Karlee, born in February 1997, and Rahni, born in March 2000.

The four girls were the light of Norma’s life, and she spoilt them unconditionally.

Granddaughter Sarah recently celebrated her own wedding to Narrabri local Joshua Gleeson, and Norma and Cliff became great-grandparents to the couple’s son Xander. Norma’s short time with Xander was precious.

Norma, Cliff, and Josh’s paternal grandmother Loretta Bell had the privilege of looking after Xander each week on Tuesdays, which always made Norma’s day.

In her earlier years, Norma had taught her children to drive.

Daughter Leesa recalls a lesson which took place with her cousin Sharon, driving on a dirt road.

Sharon happened to be driving at the time and heading far too fast straight for a cattle grid.

When Norma told Sharon to slow down and put her foot on the brake – but this looked like it wasn’t happening – Norma promptly heaved her leg over the console and hit the brake herself.

Needless to say, that was the end of the lesson.

Conversely, the experience was a complete contrast in more recent years when granddaughter Amee began to take driving lessons with Norma.

For example, if Amee happened to drive into a fence, to her relief Norma would calmly say, “Put the car into reverse, Amee. And let’s not mention this to Pop.”

Norma loved watched sport on television, including cricket and tennis, but most of all enjoyed watching the footy.

Sundays had also become a footy day whilst watching her son Marc play.

One day when Marc was high tackled, the family recalls Norma’s reaction, letting the opposing player, the referee and the opposing supporters know exactly what she thought.

Norma’s love of footy extended to The Courier footy tipping competition each week.

The footy tips meant a lot to Norma, and she would often say that she had only missed one year since the competition first began.

The family knew never to call Norma when the footy was on television, as only half a conversation would occur.

When talking on the phone Norma would yell – “Oh, he’s scored”. It was always all about the footy.

The family fondly recalls Norma’s cooking skills, her attempt at a caramel pie, which even the family dog wouldn’t eat, yet on the other hand her Sunday roast chicken dinners were the absolute best.

Norma was a true Christian and never travelled without her bible.

Not attending church during COVID-19 didn’t faze Norma, as she would simply sit on her front porch and hold her own small service – with singing included.

Norma volunteered her assistance to various local organisations and events, including the Narrabri West School canteen, Meals on Wheels, the Anglican church and the Narrabri Rugby League Club.

Norma was honoured to be announced as SIAHTO Woman of the Year in 2004.

She climbed Uluru in 1991 (Ayers Rock as it was known then) and made it all the way to top.

She even played in the veterans’ (over 55s) netball division.

Norma’s position was goalkeeper, and her team was called the Magpies.

She was amusingly awarded the title of ‘Being friendly and always talking to the opposing player’.

A social butterfly in Narrabri, it was difficult for the family to know exactly where Norma was at any given time, with morning teas and lunches constantly scheduled.

Norma would meet up with the Blue Dove ladies, the Anglican Church ladies, her Fosseys colleagues and of course, best friends’ lunches, which sometimes lasted more than three hours.

Norma was a people person. She was known and loved by many different people from all walks of life, even though she didn’t realise just how much. She touched the lives of many, from her care-nurse in Tamworth to her Courier papergirl, both of whom were present at Norma’s funeral.

Family was very important to Norma, always organising gatherings for the Hills, the Saunders, the Galvins, and many of her friends, and never would she forget a birthday or anniversary.

Norma and Cliff were married for almost 62 years. The couple stuck together through thick and thin, their love and support for each other truly standing the test of time.

A devoted grandmother and great-grandmother, Norma is survived by her husband Cliff, son Marc and wife Tracey, daughter Leesa and husband Lex, granddaughters Amee and partner Kasey, Sarah and husband Joshua, Karlee, and Rahni, and great-grandson Xander.

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