Inspire. Empower. Belong.
Hill Tribe Family Office- dedicated to fostering a vibrant community where integrity guides our actions, empowerment fuels our growth, and fun is at the heart of everything we do.
About Us
The Hill Tribe Family Office, established in 2023, is a privately held family office based in Western Australia. Built on a legacy of purpose, it is committed to driving positive impact through strategic collaboration and values-led initiatives. Our focus is on fostering a sustainable future—one where every individual is recognised for their inherent value and empowered to contribute meaningfully to a cycle of economic independence within their community.
We believe our greatest wealth lies in the strength of our family and the trusted networks we’ve built. These relationships—rooted in transparency and designed for mutual benefit—are the foundation of everything we do. They enable us to grow, adapt, and create impact far beyond financial returns
Meet the Team
Annie Hill
From French Fries to Philanthropy, Annie is driving positive change in Western Australia through connecting entrepreneurs and Not-For-Profit to achieve sustainable social empowerment. She is curious to understand other people’s journeys and strives to create positive outcomes that benefit our society as a whole. She uses her extensive business knowledge to actively support various charities and social enterprises that tackle critical issues in our community.
Jennifer Hill
Jennifer runs a luxury travel and events business based in WA, which specialises in itinerary planning. She has extensive overseas knowledge and travel experience. She also coordinates events for the Hill Tribe Family Office and manages the various properties within the group. She has worked in and alongside the original family business since finishing high school.
Tom Hill
Tom Hill is a committed advocate for values-driven investment and community development in Western Australia. Drawing on a rich heritage shaped by a family business that prioritised people and principles, along with executive hospitality experience, Tom brings a grounded and purpose-led approach to impact investing.
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Tom currently works to position the Family Office investment portfolio to achieve long-term systemic change, using the philanthropic principles of Time, Talent, Testimony, Ties, and Treasure to achieve sustainable returns while eliciting an excess for impact.
Michelle Popplewell
Michelle brings extensive corporate experience and administrative skills to the office and deals in the running of systems created to ensure the smooth day to day operations across the various business and personal entities.
Tee Wearing
Tee came to the company with varied hospitality and administrative experience. Within the original business she supported the team with organisational and analytical data. Currently she runs the Malaga premises that house various Not-For-Profit and Social Enterprise that fit into the Hill Tribe values driven portfolio.
Laura Gore
Laura has worked alongside the Hill family for over 20 years, bringing an understanding of their values and long-term vision. A qualified Clinical Social Worker from Edith Cowan University, she blends human insight with strategic skills, to create systems that strengthen people, culture, and purpose.
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Her early career with McDonald’s built a strong foundation in HR management and people development, shaping her practical and values-driven leadership style.
In her current role with 12 Buckets, Laura leads organisational development and strategy, along with implementation of capacity-building models to support the organisation’s growth and community impact.
Our Story
Richard and Annie first met at McDonald’s, but even at just 15 and 19 years old, they had each already shown a strong entrepreneurial spirit. From Richard collecting and selling golf balls at the local club to Annie crafting and selling crochet items to teachers, their hobbies, ideas, and dreams were constantly evolving into business ventures.
In the 80’s McDonald’s Family Restaurants were emerging across Australia with local entrepreneurs invited to be Owner/Operators. With tried and practiced systems, enthusiastic couples were encouraged to work with their Team to embody a community based business which focused on people development and connection to local community.
Richard and Annie both thrived at the West Lakes McDonald’s Family Restaurant under Ross and Fiona Halliday in South Australia. Over the next decade, along with nine of their contemporaries, they became Licensees as the Company expanded across different regions in Australia – embracing the philosophies of Ray Kroc.
“None of us are as good as All of us.” — Ray Kroc
As a couple Richard and Annie supported each other with autonomy to grow and the safety to fail. Overtime their strengths developed, values were aligned and a formidable Team was created. Their sense of success came not just from financial profit, but from solving problems, offering alternatives, and bringing people together.
“The more I help others to succeed, the more I succeed” — Ray Kroc
As their journey unfolded, Richard and Annie’s professional achievements grew in tandem with their commitment to community. Collaborating with the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber of Commerce, McDonald’s Kalgoorlie, was recognised as Registered Training Organisation (RTO), empowering regional staff with accredited learning pathways. They broke new ground by launching the first regional McCafe and founding the inaugural Regional Ronald McDonald House Charities Ball—initiatives that blended innovation with heart. Their leadership and impact were recognised through accolades like the CCI Kalgoorlie Boulder Franchise Business of the Year award, McDonald’s Outstanding Drive-Thru Award and the Grace Award for community commitment. Annie’s influence extended beyond the business, serving as Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and earning a place as a finalist in the Telstra Young Business Women’s Awards. While Richard was an active Rotarian and Director of the Kalgoorlie Golf Club and beloved Ship’s Cook of the Middle Island Fishing Crew.
“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are
doing, you will be successful.” — Albert Schweitzer
Relocating to Perth in 2006, their franchise footprint expanded across six suburbs and regional WA, each restaurant a reflection of their values and vision. Together, they weathered challenges with resilience, from the devastation of the Morley fire to the uncertainty brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, always adapting and pivoting to embrace change. In 2022, life took a heartbreaking turn with Richard being diagnosed with lung cancer, in just eight weeks Annie’s partner in both life and business was gone. Annie’s exit from McDonald’s in 2024 closed a chapter built on decades of shared dreams. Yet through it all, her legacy of business excellence, family devotion, and community impact continues to shine—a testament to a life lived with purpose and passion.
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” — Dr. Seuss
Current Projects
The Hill Tribe Family Office currently runs an establishment that houses 12 Buckets and Loop. The aim is to develop this premise into a Community Hub, fostering meaningful collaborations that create innovative employment pathways for diverse communities.
12 Buckets offers mentoring to primary school students, investing in the social and emotional well-being of students who lack stable relationships with adults and role models, making a significant impact on individual lives and the community as a whole.
Loop Upcycling is a social enterprise pioneering a circular textile revolution. They are dedicated to breathing new life into redundant textiles through our circular solutions of upcycling, rewear, recycling, and redistribution. Along the way, they empower those who need it most through meaningful training and employment opportunities.
Friends Of
12 Buckets
When young people have the space and opportunity they will do amazing things for their community…
Loop Upcycling
Loop Upcycling is a West Australian social enterprise and Australia’s first corporate upcycling company.
Happiness Co
At Happiness Co Foundation we do things differently. We intervene early, teaching resilience in schools, building networks in communities and embedding wellbeing in workplaces. We don’t just help people survive. We help them thrive
Private Wealth Network
Through a range of membership service options, you can access family leadership programs, private sessions with PWN’s global faculty of specialist family advisers, a family toolbox, curated introductions to families and family offices around the world.
Philanthropy Australia
Philanthropy Australia is the national peak body for organisations and individuals working to achieve positive change.
Impact 100
Impact100 WA is a collaborative giving group that pools its donations to make a significant difference in areas of need – proudly started here in Western Australia. It is a modern take on philanthropy that’s 100% transparent.
Meridian
Born from mates that donate, we’ve become a community where every connection lasts beyond a donation.
Community Foundations Australia
Community Foundations Australia connects and supports community-led philanthropic organisations so that the field can operate more effectively and efficiently, and create lasting social change in communities.
WASEC
At WASEC, we believe business can be better. Across WA, social enterprises are proving it – creating jobs, supporting local people, and reinvesting profits back into communities and causes that matter. You can join us – whether you’re running a business for good or simply want to back one.
Impact Seed
Impact Seed’s vision is for a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive Western Australian economy that empowers communities and values culture and the environment.
Sister Project
Sister Project offers migrant, refugee, and asylum seeker women, weekly English Conversation and Connection classes where we can learn and practice new skills in a safe and friendly environment.
Fremantle Foundation
Fremantle Foundation aims to strengthen WA communities with grants to help meet their current and future needs.
Investments
Purpose Ventures
Purpose Ventures is a venture capital fund based in Perth, Western Australia. We back founders who are chasing after their life cause, and we partner with you to help you get there.
Redrawn
Redrawn works predominantly in the heavy industrial sector : Hydrogen, Future Fuels, Mining, Minerals Processing, Water, Oil & Gas.
Happiness Co
At Happiness Co, we believe in the extraordinary power of genuine happiness. That’s why our vision is built on one simple goal: to bring happiness into as many lives as possible.
SEN
Sports Entertainment Network is a dynamic sports and entertainment business. We connect brands with fans across multiple platforms including radio, television, digital, print, stadium and events – reaching over 3.5 million people each week.
Bernie
Fast healing, so you can keep going. From the kitchen to the beach, Bernie delivers fast, proven relief so you don’t miss a moment of life.
Fremantle Seaweed
Harnessing the pristine waters of Western Australia, Fremantle Seaweed is growing the red seaweed, Asparagopsis, that has been shown by CSIRO to reduce climate change causing methane emissions from cattle and other ruminant livestock by more than 80%
Cinefly
Cinefly is a media-tech company specialising in user-generated video content (UGC). Our platform helps you co-create video content with anyone, anytime and anywhere around the world.
Mission
To foster a vibrant community where integrity guides our actions, empowerment fuels our growth, and fun is at the heart of everything we do.
The Philosophy
As a newly formed Family Office in 2024, we are committed to learning and evolving to discover effective ways to achieve our mission. We are dedicated to community philanthropy in Western Australia and investments that align with our view of the future and industries that support our values.
We embrace a holistic view of philanthropy, understanding that “treasure” is just one of five impactful contributions. We recognize that time, talent, ties, and testimony play equally vital roles in our ability to effect positive change.
Values
- Community
- Integrity
- Diversity
- Empowerment
- Fun