Vale Simon Hill, L.AIRAH

AIRAH sends its condolences to the family of Simon Hill, L.AIRAH, who passed away on April 3.

Throughout his career, Simon was a major contributor to the Australian HVAC&R industry. His many achievements include developing and presenting training seminars on ventilation, fire and smoke control and fire damper installation on behalf of AIRAH, CIBSE and the AMCA, as well as private corporations. He acted as an expert witness in relation to legal resolution of HVAC disputes, and provided professional opinions on interpretation of HVAC standards and regulations.

In recognition of his stellar industry contribution over four decades, Simon earned AIRAH’s highest individual honour, the James Harrison Medal, and was admitted to the ARBS Hall of Fame in 2022.

Gary Knox, F.AIRAH, worked with Simon on the Institute’s NSW division committee.

“Simon Hill’s legacy in the HVAC&R industry is akin to a lighthouse, guiding countless professionals through the complexities of their field,” Gary says.

“Simon contributed to NSW Division as president and his favourite topic, an annual event, was the Mistakes Seminar. He introduced the topic with a quote from Ove Arup: ‘Mistakes are valuable guides: they should not be forgotten or concealed. Rocks and reefs are charted on maps as a warning to sailors – shouldn’t we do the same with our mistakes and failures?’ It was a very popular meeting and well attended by members.

Clive Broadbent, L.AIRAH, remembers Simon as a brilliant engineer whose “technical excellence was apparent with every word he said”.

“I can’t believe he has passed away,” Clive says. “What an engineer – I thought he was on the ball with his technical knowledge, and that I admired.”

Simon will be dearly missed by his wife Jill, his children Pip, Tim, Andrew and Edwina, his grandchildren Zara, Finn, Lachlan, Neelix, Llywelyn, Rafferty, Penelope, Ariadne and Oliver, as well as the many people who he worked with and mentored over the years.

Donations to Dementia Australia would be greatly appreciated.

Simon’s memorial service will be held at 12 noon on Friday, April 11, Magnolia Chapel, Macquarie Park Cemetery, Sydney.