
  • Staff
  • Students
  • Library
Flinders University Logo Flinders University Logo
  • Study

    Study areas

    • Business
    • Computer science and information technology
    • Creative arts and media
    • Criminology
    • Defence and national security
    • Education
    • Engineering
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Humanities and social sciences
    • Innovation and enterprise
    • International relations and political science
    • Languages and culture
    • Law
    • Medicine
    • Nursing and midwifery
    • Psychology
    • Science
    • Social work
    • Sport

    I am...

    • a high school student
    • a non-school leaver
    • a future honours student
    • a future postgraduate student
    • a future research student
    • a future online student
    • a future Indigenous student
    • an international student
    • a parent
    • a school counsellor/teacher
    Explore
    Admission pathways
    Apply
    Contact us
  • Study

    Study areas

    • Business
    • Creative arts
    • Education
    • Engineering
    • Environment
    • Government
    • Health sciences
    • Humanities
    • Information technology
    • Law
    • Medicine
    • Nursing
    • Psychology
    • Public health
    • Science
    • Social sciences
    • Social work

    International websites

    • China
    • Vietnam
    Explore Flinders
    Apply
    Contact us
  • Research

    Research areas

    • Engineering and technology
    • Health and medical
    • People and society
    • Science, environment and natural resources
    • Emerging research - Defence

    Fearless Research

    • Research Changing Lives

    I am...

    • a potential collaborator
    • a researcher
    • a potential research student
    • a current research student
    Research impact
    Institutes and centres
    Partner with us
    Participate
  • Research

    Research areas

    • Engineering and technology
    • Health and medical
    • People and society
    • Science, environment and natural resources
    • Emerging research - Defence

    Fearless Research

    • Research Changing Lives

    I am...

    • a potential collaborator
    • a researcher
    • a potential research student
    • a current research student
    Research impact
    Institutes and centres
    Partner with us
    Participate
  • Engage

    I want to...

    • Engage with us
    • Connect with students
    • Locate a clinic
    • Book a campus venue
    • Find a tender
    • Give to Flinders
    • Work at Flinders
    • Participate in a research study
    • See what's on
    • Shop Flinders merchandise
    • Register as a contractor

    Related links

    • Flinders New Venture Institute
    • Alumni
    • Health2Go
    • Flinders University Museum of Art
    • Flinders One Sport and Fitness
    Business and government
    Community
    Culture
    International
  • Alumni

    I want to...

    • Join an Alumni network
    • Establish an Alumni network
    • Share a memory
    • Access career services
    • Order a transcript
    • Give to Flinders
    • Update my details
    • Find a classmate
    • Shop Flinders merchandise
    Our alumni
    Benefits and services
    Get involved
    Stay connected
  • Giving

    Donate today

    • Donate online
    • Donate by mail
    • Giving online FAQs (PDF)
    • Staff Workplace Giving Program
    • Contact us

    Ways to give

    • Give in celebration or in memory
    • Leave a gift in your Will
    • Giving from overseas
    • Give a cultural gift
    • Get involved

    Donate to
    Why give
    Our donors
  • About

    The 2025 agenda

    • Vision and mission
    • Our strategic plan
    • Our values and ethos
    • Flinders Village
    • Festival Plaza
    • Health and Medical Research Building

    Governance and leadership

    • University Council
    • Chancellor
    • Vice-Chancellor

    Our organisation

    • Colleges
    • Library
    • Professional services
    • Staff directory

    Campus and locations

    • Sustainability at Flinders
    • Bedford Park
    • Tonsley
    • Victoria Square
    • Flinders in the NT
    Fast facts
    History
    Structure
    Contact us
  • Staff
  • Students
  • Library
  • You have no saved courses.

    Continue to explore your course options.

     
    Explore our courses

    Your saved courses

    {{{courseName}}}
    mail_outline
    delete
    View all saved courses
  • Quick links 
    • Current students
    • Staff
    • Library
    • Flinders dashboard (Okta)
    • Ask Flinders
    • Flinders Learning Online (FLO)
    • Parking
    • Campus map: Bedford Park
    • Staff directory
    • Jobs at Flinders
    • Shop Flinders merchandise

 

A fearless journey through polio, communism and war zone.

Flinders alumna Gosia Hill has faced more challenges than most, but is driven by exploration and self-belief.

↓

Gosia (L) with UNHCR colleague, Maisa (R) at Azraq refugee camp, Jordan

Gosia Hill, 
Flinders University alumna
(BA ’83, BSocAdmin ’87)

Sitting down to talk with Gosia Hill is an unforgettable experience. Friendly, erudite and passionate about her work, her family and her history, Gosia quickly floods the room with anecdotes that tell of a life incredibly well lived.

Diagnosed with polio at 11 months old, Gosia faced physical difficulties brought on by a disease that left many others permanently incapacitated. Her parents’ determination, her own strength of will and years of rehabilitation set a pattern that has been repeated throughout Gosia’s life - she does not shy away from a challenge. As she grew, a cycle of exercise, massage therapies and diet helped strengthen her body. Her mind however, was already far ahead.

Born in the restrictive environment of communist Poland, Gosia soon became interested in the world outside her borders. International affairs piqued her interest at a young age.

“I was 10 years old, and I started to learn English. My father paid for my lessons. I always subscribed to some magazines from the West, and l listened to the radio, quietly, secretly. There was this radio station that we listened to – Radio Free Europe.”

By the time she was 20, Gosia’s interests led her to Australia, and a new life in Adelaide. Despite three years of university study in Poland, transition to university in Adelaide proved problematic, until the day that Gosia made the decision to explore Flinders’ Bedford Park campus. As she wandered the corridors, a chance meeting with the Registrar saw her walk away with not only directions on how to enrol, but letters of recommendation to several faculty heads. Gosia’s time at Flinders had begun.

“I found a huge difference between Flinders and my studies back in Poland. Three years I studied at one of the oldest universities in the world, in Krakow, during the communist era. It was all very nine to five… lectures, meetings, assignments. It was very direct, very ‘You do this.’ Very prescribed. But here at Flinders, you know, you just do it. You need to be very self-disciplined, and self-directed. You really need to be organised and responsible for yourself. It is a very good tactic, to grow that fearless attitude and approach in life.”

Gosia-Meetng-with-teachers-at-the-Azraq-refugee-camp.jpg
Gosia-DAFI-tertiary-scholarship-agency-staff-Jordan.jpg

Gosia’s experiences at Flinders helped her develop her interest in international affairs even further. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Politics, Philosophy) and Bachelor of Social Administration, she has continued on an amazing career path that has seen her work at the highest level as Australia’s senior diplomat in Europe and as a senior adviser in countries such as Jordan, South Africa, Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Her current assignment with UNICEF, through Australia Assists, is taking her to Tigray in Ethiopia to coordinate humanitarian efforts. The work is vital, but Gosia is also aware of the dangers it presents.

“Our training was with the military, all sorts of different and serious training. Handling weapons, handling potential kidnapping or terrorism. Things like that. Although I have been held hostage, once or twice myself, and I have experienced some very unpleasant guerrillas and militias in some other parts of Africa. It’s a situation you have to be very well prepared for.”

Gosia’s story is unforgettable. Her early years and the skills she developed at Flinders have given her confidence that have allowed her to forge a fearless path through life.

“Just explore, it can be so enriching. And don't be afraid. If you are a social worker, or if you are a psychologist, there's nothing stopping you from understanding another industry. Use your analytical skills. Your problem-solving skills. Your resilience. Your project management skills. ... And believe in yourself, trust your knowledge and you’ll get there.”

Find out more about Gosia at gosiahill.com

fearless

Discover more fearless stories ➜

Flinders University Logo

Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042

South Australia | Northern Territory
Global | Online

Information for

  • Future students
  • Alumni
  • Media
  • Business and community
  • Current students
  • Staff
  • External contractors

Directories

  • Contact us
  • Campus and locations
  • Staff directory
  • Colleges
  • Library
  • Research Institutes and Centres

Follow Flinders

Facebook - Flinders University Twitter - Flinders University YouTube - Flinders University Instagram - Flinders University LinkedIn - Flinders University

Brand SA logo Innovative Research University logo Indigenous communities

Website feedback

Disclaimer

Accessibility

Privacy

CRICOS Provider: 00114A      TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12097      TEQSA category: Australian University

Last Updated: 12 Oct 2021
Fearless Logo

This website uses cookies

Flinders University uses cookies to ensure website functionality, personalisation, and for a variety of purposes described in the website privacy statement. For details about these cookies and how to set your cookie preferences, refer to our website privacy statement.

You consent to the use of our cookies if you proceed.

Accept and continue