This article is based on an interview between Bernie Hems from Kiama Community Radio and The Greens candidate for Gilmore, Debbie Killian.

Debbie Killian, Greens candidate for Gilmore, brings a lifetime of advocacy and a deep commitment to social justice to her campaign.

Her journey has taken her from the youth sector to frontline disaster response and now, the political arena.

Killian’s story begins in Sydney, where she was born, before moving to Perth as a child.

Her father’s job transfer saw the family uprooted with just three weeks’ notice, a move that shaped her understanding of displacement and the importance of stability.

Despite her mother’s struggle to settle in, Killian describes her childhood as relatively carefree, riding bikes, playing outdoors and growing up in a family where humanist values and political discussions were a constant.

University was a turning point. Killian was the first in her family to attend, a beneficiary of Gough Whitlam’s free education reforms.

She initially pursued psychology but soon found herself drawn to English, theatre arts and film.

It was during these years that she began forming the strong social conscience that has guided her ever since.

A job at Canley Vale High School, teaching young women from disadvantaged backgrounds, led Killian to Cabramatta Community Centre, where she worked as a youth worker with newly arrived refugees.

Many of these young people had fled the horrors of war and genocide in Cambodia and Vietnam, and their resilience deeply affected her.

"They had been through things we couldn't imagine," she recalled. "And yet, they were full of hope and gratitude."

It was a time of both inspiration and heartbreak. She witnessed firsthand how media narratives about ‘dangerous street gangs’ drove already vulnerable boys further to the margins, limiting their chances for a better future.

The experience cemented her belief in the power of grassroots community support and the need for systemic change.

After years in Sydney, Killian eventually settled in Fisherman’s Paradise, drawn to its peace and natural beauty.

Retirement in 2017 gave her a chance to pause, travel and immerse herself in her new community. But the Black Summer bushfires of 2019 and 2020 changed everything.

On New Year’s Eve, as flames surrounded the village on three sides and the only road out was blocked by a fallen tree, Killian and many others feared they wouldn’t survive.

With no power, no water and no phone service, they had no choice but to wait out the inferno.

"I remember writing the number of people inside on the window, so they’d know what they’d find," she said. "That’s how scared we were."

Though Fisherman’s Paradise was spared the devastation that wiped out nearby Conjola Park, the experience was life changing.

The fires, followed by floods, solidified her belief that climate change is the defining crisis of our time.

"I’ve always been passionate about social justice," she said. "But if we don’t look after the planet, nothing else matters."

With decades of community work behind her, Killian found herself drawn to The Greens, a party that aligned with her long held values.

She sees this election as a chance to fight for urgent climate action and social equity, believing that government must do more to protect both people and the environment.

Despite the seriousness of her campaign, Killian brings warmth and humour to her interactions.

She is a lover of reality TV competitions, an amateur mosaic artist and a lifelong dog owner.

Her current rescue, Maya, is a "sweetheart" of a bull Arab mix.

As for what’s next, her bucket list is short.

"I’m a fulfilled old lady," she laughs. "But I’d love to see Morocco one day. And, of course, winning Gilmore is on the list too."

With The Bugle and Kiama Community Radio continuing to provide reliable coverage, the community remains informed and engaged in these vital discussions. Tune into Bernie Hems show at 9 am on Tuesdays on KCR.