Dorothy Hill, AC, CBE, FAA, FRS (10 September 1907 – 23 April 1997) was an Australian geologist and palaeontologist, the first female professor at an Australian university, and the first female president of the Australian Academy of Science. Hill made significant contributions to Australian earth science and was a pivotal role model in opening a whole new world of education to women. She mentored many students who went on to great success in the field of earth sciences, including Ken Campbell and Graham Maxwell. Malcolm Thomis in his history of the University of Queensland, described Hill as the "most outstanding graduate in the first 75 years of the University".
The Great Court at the University of Queensland features a stone grotesque carved in her likeness by Rhyl Hinwood in 1982. There is also a bust of Hill, sculpted by Rhyl Hinwood at Brisbane Girls Grammar School. Coorparoo State School named a portion of their school for Hill in 2015. In 1997 the University of Queensland's Physical Sciences and Engineering Library was named the Dorothy Hill Physical Sciences and Engineering Library in her honour. In 2014, the School of Earth Sciences at the University of Queensland named their research vessel, RV D Hill, to honour her legacy to fossil coral research. Since 2002, the Australian Academy of Science has awarded the Dorothy Hill Award for female researchers in earth sciences. The Geological Society of Australia, Queensland Division also gives a Dorothy Hill Medal to individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of knowledge of Queensland geology.
In 2016 Dr Gilbert Price and colleagues at the University of Queensland School of Earth Sciences located Hill's rock hammer and created a 3D model of it for an exhibition to celebrate her life. Gilbert Price included the 3D image in an article about Hill and her hammer. The electoral district of Hill created in the 2017 Queensland state electoral redistribution was named after her, in recognition of her work for the Great Barrier Reef. A street in the village designed for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, has also been named in her honour. An astronomical observatory is being named for Hill at the Brisbane Girls Grammar School's Marrapatta Open Education Campus.
