Crusader Hillis

Crusader Hillis is a writer, editor, curator and producer. He co-founded (with Rowland Thomson) the queer bookshop Hares & Hyenas in 1991.

In its 23-year history, Hares & Hyenas has presented over 700 literary and performance events, both here and interstate. Since becoming a licensed performance venue in 2012, the venue has presented over 300 events ranging from spoken word to circus, burlesque, dance and theatre.

Rowland and Crusader believe in community development from the ground up, and have helped to develop cultural work by many in our community who would not otherwise have the opportunity. In particular they have worked to develop arts and cultural expression by transgender, disabled, Deaf, Indigenous, HIV-positive and sex-positive people from all backgrounds and persuasions, to name just a few communities they have worked with. Hares & Hyenas has deservedly won the hearts of Melburnians and continues to push the boundaries in all directions.

Crusader’s fiction and non-fiction has been published in magazines and newspapers here and in the UK. He has had a parallel career in the arts, having worked as marketing manager at Melbourne Festival, director/CEO of Gasworks Arts Park and working as a freelance consultant and writer for a host of Australian arts organisations.