Andrew Hillier
Devonport Chaplaincy | Loaves and Fishes Tasmania | Community Mentoring Tasmania
Hi, I’m Andrew. I’ve called Devonport home since 1997, where I live with my amazing wife Alison. We’ve raised two beautiful daughters here—one now works as an engineer in Sydney, and the other is studying Environmental Science at UTAS. Originally from Sydney, I spent nearly two decades in the construction industry before stepping into full-time ministry and community work. That shift was driven by a growing sense of call—to serve people well, love communities deeply, and help bring lasting change, especially for those doing it tough.
For many years, I served in pastoral leadership across churches in both New South Wales and Tasmania, including senior leadership roles. Alongside Alison, I helped pioneer youth outreach programs, support families, and walk with people through all kinds of seasons—always with a heart to see faith expressed in action and hope restored in people’s lives. At the core of my leadership is a deep desire to see the Church be what it’s truly called to be: present in the community, living with grace, and being the hands and feet of Jesus in real and tangible ways.
Today, I’m privileged to lead three incredible organisations—Devonport Chaplaincy, Loaves and Fishes Tasmania, and Community Mentoring Tasmania. We have a statewide team of over 50 staff and more than 100 volunteers, supporting hundreds of young people and families every week through chaplaincy, food relief, mentoring, and job-readiness training. It’s practical, relational work that brings dignity, hope, and connection to communities across Tasmania.
I also serve as the leader of the Devonport Christian Leaders Association (DCLA), a gathering of local pastors and ministry leaders united in prayer, mission, and shared purpose. Together, we seek to serve our city in practical ways, believing the Church is at its best when it’s working together and deeply embedded in the life of the community.
Throughout it all, I try to lead with a servant’s heart—preferring collaboration over control, presence over position, and always choosing people over programs. Whether in the boardroom, the kitchen, or out in the street, my aim is to walk humbly, listen well, and lift others up.
In recent years, I’ve helped lead a statewide push for systemic change in Tasmania’s food security response—from short-term relief to long-term resilience. Our work has been recognised through partnerships with the Tasmanian Government, major philanthropic supporters like the Ian Potter Foundation, and national collaborations with groups like OzHarvest and SecondBite. I also regularly speak at events, government forums, and strategy roundtables, most recently helping shape the Food Relief to Food Resilience Strategy for Tasmania.
Alison and I have also served in humanitarian roles overseas—in Hong Kong, China, India, and Cambodia—and previously led youth outreach initiatives in some of Sydney’s most challenged neighbourhoods. Those experiences have left a deep mark on us, shaping the way we approach people, justice, and leadership.
I love Tasmania’s wild places. When I need to reset, you’ll usually find me bushwalking, kayaking, or heading off the beaten track. The outdoors gives me space to pray, reflect, and stay grounded.
Looking ahead, I’m passionate about building a more just and connected Tasmania—where no one goes hungry, young people are seen and supported, and every community can flourish. That’s the kind of work I want to keep putting my hand to.
“I’m honoured to lead such a unique, dynamic, and growing organisation. Our whole team is committed to serving all Tasmanians—doing everything we can to help every community become a vibrant, healthy, and hopeful place to call home.”