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Hilda Billington
Biography
BiographyHilda Florence Billington was born in Dagenham, east of London. She was evacuated from North London in World War II, and came to New Zealand post-war, aged 21.
The following year she met her future husband Gordon Billington at a theatre, where he was involved in a play. They married in 1952, and had three sons, David, Steven and Andrew.
She took up pottery after Upper Hutt College evening classes, and Gordon built her a kiln and studio. She was later a tutor at the college and at Rimutaka Prison.
Hilda set up Upper Hutt Community Gallery, and was its president when it got its own building, The Studio, in Ward Street. She was also involved with Heretaunga College’s Teen Parent Unit, and provided on-call support for young people in trouble with the law and without peer or parent support.
She was a Justice of the Peace for five years and was a patron of Ōrongomai Marae.
Hilda was elected to the city council in 1986. She served as deputy mayor to Rex Kirton from 1992 to 1995; then after he retired in 2001 spent six years as policy committee chair. She was also a member of the Upper Hutt history book committee that produced Jack Kelleher's Upper Hutt: A History.
Hilda Billington died on 24 September 2014. In line with her wishes, the family funeral preceded the death notice. The eulogy was given by her son David.
The October 6, 2014 'Leader' printed an obituary.
The following year she met her future husband Gordon Billington at a theatre, where he was involved in a play. They married in 1952, and had three sons, David, Steven and Andrew.
She took up pottery after Upper Hutt College evening classes, and Gordon built her a kiln and studio. She was later a tutor at the college and at Rimutaka Prison.
Hilda set up Upper Hutt Community Gallery, and was its president when it got its own building, The Studio, in Ward Street. She was also involved with Heretaunga College’s Teen Parent Unit, and provided on-call support for young people in trouble with the law and without peer or parent support.
She was a Justice of the Peace for five years and was a patron of Ōrongomai Marae.
Hilda was elected to the city council in 1986. She served as deputy mayor to Rex Kirton from 1992 to 1995; then after he retired in 2001 spent six years as policy committee chair. She was also a member of the Upper Hutt history book committee that produced Jack Kelleher's Upper Hutt: A History.
Hilda Billington died on 24 September 2014. In line with her wishes, the family funeral preceded the death notice. The eulogy was given by her son David.
The October 6, 2014 'Leader' printed an obituary.
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Details
Place of BirthDagenham, EssexDate of Death24th September 2014Place of ResidenceThackeray StreetSexFemaleEthnicityEuropean
Date of Death24th September 2014Place of ResidenceThackeray StreetSexFemaleEthnicityEuropeanMarriage
HusbandGordon BillingtonDate1952LocationEastbourne
Date1952LocationEastbourneFamily
ChildDavidSteve
SteveConnections
Hilda Billington (1952). Upper Hutt City Library, accessed 25/01/2026, https://uhcl.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/27325