Our Local Hero, Hillary Milton
CAPS psychologist and program coordinator Hillary Milton has been chosen as a finalist as Westfield Kotara Local Hero 2022.
Earlier this month, CAPS psychologist and program coordinator Hillary Milton was chosen as a finalist as Westfield Kotara Local Hero 2022. Our whole team is immensely proud of Hillary for her outstanding work, and feels that this formal recognition of her merit is well-deserved! Hillary has worked tirelessly to strengthen our community education programs and extend our outreach, improving the lives of countless vulnerable community members.
With 18 years’ experience working with children and families, Hillary is widely known and respected in her community. She is a selfless and compassionate clinician who specialises in keeping our most vulnerable safe from all forms of abuse. CAPS CEO, Reegan Barber, says that “Hillary Milton is a wonderful community role model and I am always impressed by how she can take on any number of varied tasks with gusto, aplomb, and good humour.”
As Program Coordinator, Hillary takes the lead on several of our frontline programs, including Safe Arrival, our domestic and family violence prevention program, Safe Communities Safe Children, our protective behaviours program for preschoolers and their carers and educators, and Supporting Kids, our parenting webinar series.
At work, Hillary strikes an excellent balance between leading and encouraging her colleagues to learn and improve. Aside from being an irreplaceable member of the team, Hillary also has a strong presence in the Newcastle community. Since starting at CAPS five years ago, she has expanded our program delivery across regional Australia, delivering programs with children, families, and educators at over 40 locations in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Maitland, and the Central Coast. She has built strong relationships in the community, and program participants have nothing but positive feedback to give after each visit.
“Helping organisations of all sizes to build up their child protection capabilities means that my work is always challenging but rewarding. The feedback I receive shows how much impact our programs have and how needed it is in the local community,” Hillary says.
In addition to her impressive community work, Hillary is also currently raising her three wonderful children, as well as two bunnies and a dog. When she is not working, Hillary enjoys being outdoors, being active, camping, bushwalking, and enjoying the water with her family and pets.
You can vote for Hillary as Westfield Kotara Local Hero here. If she gets the most votes, we will receive a $20,000 grant to deliver our Safe Communities, Safe Children program at four Newcastle childcare organisations. Please vote today but remember that no matter what, Hillary will always be a hero to everyone here at CAPS!
