TARGA Official Spotlight: Emma Hill

Emma Hill has had numerous roles at TARGA since her first event in 2018, including roles as a Vehicle Tracker and Assistant Safety Manager.

She first joined the TARGA family alongside her soon-to-be husband Josh, who is now TARGA’s Operations Manager.

From pulling pranks on actor Shane Jacobson, to a TARGA Great Barrier Reef marriage proposal, Emma’s had plenty of unforgettable adventures on the road, and can’t wait to make more at TARGA events to come – with their new son Carter in tow!

What was your very first TARGA event like & how did you get involved?

My very first TARGA was TARGA North West 2018, an event that doesn’t run anymore. It was fast passed and got me hooked into the car world of TARGA . I got involved in it as my hubby had been a volunteer for years and when we first got together he asked if I wanted to come along and help out so I did and I have been involved in all events since except for High Country. 

What is your fondest memory of TARGA?

Meeting Shane Jacobson. Team Hill, as it was back then, liked to have a bit of fun and as Shane has had many acting roles, each day of the 2021 TARGA Tasmania event we gave him a gift to remind him of his illustrious career.

A penguin for Oddball, a g-string signed by the team for the Full Monty, and a plunger for Kenny. 

Oh and my husband proposed to me while we were in Cairns for TGBR – the most romantic thing he has ever done. We may have made the party tape thanks to Stridey. 

What is a TARGA moment or story you’ll never forget?

There are soo many moments and stories that I can’t tell them all – what happens on an event stays on an event hehe but let’s just say the journey from one stage to another can be long and arduous, but never dull with the banter and songs made up from exhaustion of the week that give us the energy and entertainment to keep on going. 

Are there any significant people who have played an important role in your TARGA experiences?

There are too many to name! When I first started as a TARGA volunteer pretty much everyone was a stranger to me and now I call them my TARGA family.

Spending a week at a time on the road you build a close bond with people and I have been lucky enough that each year the team has stayed the same and each event we pick up where we left off. This also includes volunteers and staff with different roles within the whole event.

It is just so nice to see everyone again each year. 

What was your first car like?

It was a 2006 Mazda wagon, not fancy at all but has been a very reliable car. 

You can only choose one song to listen to while driving for the rest of your days; name that song!

Life is a highway- definitely a singalong 

You have two empty spots in your dream garage; name one classic car and one modern car that you’d park there.

I love a 1960’s mustang GT lots of grit and power. Modern car- Mercedes convertible – girls gotta have power and style right! 

Describe your driving style in three words.

I was a good driver but now I’m a mum driver, much more cautious then I was before having my baby.