While the Rotary Club of Narrandera Lil Mills Tertiary Scholarship winners were recently announced at a ceremony, not many people know the story behind the woman whom the awards are named after.

The Lil Mills Scholarship came to fruition when Lil Mills retired as a farmer’s wife and retired in Narrandera.

Common knowledge is she had always wanted to be a teacher, but the story goes, teaching was not appropriate for a young lady at the time, so she became a community stalwart and farmer’s wife.

She passed away on 15 August, 2010 and was laid to rest beside Glyn in the Presbyterian section of the Narrandera Cemetery.

Her legacy, however, continues to shape the lives of young people across the district.

The Lil Mills Tertiary Scholarship was established in honour of Lillian (Lil) Jean Mills, a woman whose life story is woven into the very fabric of the Riverina.

Born on 25 May, 1925 to George and Jean Manning of “The Pines” in Grong Grong, Lil grew up in an era when opportunities for young women were limited.

Although she had long dreamed of becoming a teacher, social expectations of the time steered her instead towards a life on the land.

After marrying Glynne (Glyn) Mills, she moved to the Mills family property “North Berembed”, where the couple became respected leaders in the Merino wool industry.

Lil was far more than a farmer’s wife – she was a partner in the business, a sharp mind in wool classing and a steady hand through droughts, floods, and the shifting fortunes of Australian agriculture.

When she and Glyn later retired to Narrandera, Lil redirected her formidable energy into community service and became a driving force in the Rotary Club of Narrandera, particularly in youth programs and “New Generations” initiatives.

Her dedication earned her Rotary’s highest honour – the Paul Harris Fellow.

The scholarship named in her honour embodies everything Lil believed in: service, opportunity, and the belief that the future of the Riverina lies in its young people.

Each year, the award helps local students overcome the financial barriers of tertiary study – travel, textbooks, accommodation – ensuring that distance from major universities does not limit ambition.

In closing the recent awards ceremony, Narrandera Rotary Club President, Jenny Clarke, said: “Lil Mills spent her life lifting others. “Tonight, we honour her by lifting the next generation.”