We’re so excited to share that the Flour Mill in Summer Hill has been chosen as one of several districts across Sydney and regional NSW to take part in the Uptown Grant Program! Funded by the NSW Government, this initiative helps shape vibrant, self-sustaining destinations across NSW. At its heart, the program is about collaboration, bringing local businesses and communities together to celebrate what makes their area unique, strengthen connections, and create places where people feel they truly belong.
To help guide this exciting journey for The Flour Mill, we’re delighted to welcome Lily to the Little BIG team.
Lily comes to us with more than 20 years of experience in the museum world, much of it at the Powerhouse Museum, where she created exhibitions, programs, and festivals designed to share stories and knowledge and to enhance accessibility and personal connection. She’s seen how something as simple as a domestic object such as a coal iron can stir powerful memories and spark conversation across generations, a reminder that connection often begins with the smallest details.
An artist herself, Lily paints, explores ceramics, and often finds inspiration in the ordinary - the curve of an object, , a vessel on the table, or the way light shifts through a room. That way of noticing carries into her everyday life too.
When she’s not at work, Lily’s time is happily filled with family, creative pursuits, and the simple joys of everyday life. She’s a mum to an 11-year old (another creative who loves drawing and singing), cooking (especially Middle Eastern and Greek dishes), and long walks by the river near her home. These little rituals bring inspiration and balance to both her personal and professional world.
For Lily, this new role feels like a natural continuation of her past work. In museums, she was constantly balancing creativity with planning, weaving together countless details while always keeping in mind how people might experience a space. Now she brings that same thoughtful approach to The Flour Mill, helping it grow into a place that feels less like a development on a map and more like a village where people feel at home.
We’re so pleased to welcome Lily to Little BIG, and we can’t wait to see The Flour Mill community continue to flourish with her care and creativity.
Here’s more about Lily:
I joined the Little BIG Foundation…
in August 2025.
My role at the Little BIG is…
Supported by the successful Uptown Grant funding, my role at the Little BIG House as District Manager is all about activating the Flour Mill precinct, strengthening the brand and encouraging more people to spend time and engage with this vibrant and diverse community of residents, businesses, and creatives.
I’m really excited about…
Working with such a diverse and creative mix of people who are all passionate about their local community. It’s great to be working with people who are interested in making connections and building something special. I’m also really excited to learn more about the history and heritage of the Flour Mill site.
My favourite thing about the Little BIG House is …
So far, my favourite thing about the Little Big House is the sense of community. I have felt very welcomed into this neighbourhood. It feels like a village, with a strong creative and entrepreneurial spirit where people want to connect and are open to ideas and collaboration. It’s quite an amazing little pocket of goodness in the Inner West with cafes, shops, businesses and social good enterprises as well as lovely green spaces. It’s a perfect blend of old and new.
I’m passionate about…
Making art and culture more accessible, relevant and meaningful for more people. I’m especially interested in spaces, events, experiences that can help people come together and share stories, explore commonalities, and learn about the many layers that contribute to a sense of place.
When I’m not at work, you’ll usually find me…
Ferrying my 11-year old around to her many activities including soccer, playdates, tutoring, language lessons as well as school and a million other activities. When I’m not doing that, I really love to spend time outdoors. Having worked in museums for much of my career, I also like to visit museums, art galleries and historic sites. On weekends, my daughter and I are fond of jumping in the car and going on mini road trips – exploring country towns and seaside locations in and around Sydney.
One fun fact about me is…
For the last 10 years or so, I’ve been restoring an old farmhouse on a Greek Island. It sounds very romantic - but the reality is that it is pretty challenging building something in another country, communicating in another language and working with local tradespeople. Lots of frustration and some funny stories too. There is a book in it one day!!
My hope for this community is…
To continue to enhance what is unique and special about this pocket of Sydney and to always appreciate the smaller and more personal scale of the place. Bigger is not always better and I think in Sydney, more and more people are leaning towards, smaller, more intimate and local experiences.
The last Little BIG moment I experienced was…
When a friend stayed at my place for a month to look after our cat while we were on holidays. After a long and exhausting journey, I came home to a spotless home, flowers on the table, a very content (and slightly fatter) cat and a beautiful chicken curry on the stove. It was such a thoughtful homecoming which did a lot to ease the jetlag and post-holiday slump.