Writers established that Hilary is back living in Erinsborough, so she could continue to make sporadic appearances until 2018, and returned again in 2023.

Hilary is characterised as a bossy and meddling woman who lacks romance and seeks comfort interfering with her Neighbours' personal lives.

Scott-Pendlebury joined the cast in 1987 for Scott Robinson (Jason Donovan) and Charlene Mitchell's (Kylie Minogue) wedding.

"[1] Hilary Robinson was like an older Julie – on the surface, a very nice person who genuinely wanted to help others.

Her first storyline saw her nearly exposing the secret that relative Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) has married Gail Lewis (Fiona Corke) for business reasons after spying on them.

"[6] Scott-Pendlebury was invited to join the show's regular cast following the departure of Nell Mangel (Vivean Gray).

They played a storyline in which she had an illegitimate child, Matt Williams (Ashley Paske), who was later introduced into the show when he tracks Hilary down.

Matt gets his friend, Nick Page (Mark Stevens) to play the music, which makes Hilary cry.

TV Week's Brown reported that producers had decided to "rest" the character with the potential of a future return.

Jason Herbison told Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy that the move would allow Hilary to continue making appearances in the show.

[4] Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy confirmed that Hilary's return story features her purchasing an apartment in Terese's retirement complex, Eirini Rising.

Terese reacts angrily about Hilary's return, believing that Paul has brought her the apartment to remain relevant in her life.

Hilary interferes with Jim's love life, match-making him with her friend Beverly Marshall (Lisa Armytage), whom he eventually marries.

She initially tries to keep it a secret until he blackmails her, telling her he will walk out on her for good, in turn making Hilary publicly reveal him as her son.

She later apologises and explains that she is unhappy about the mayor cutting community services to help fund the Erinsborough Festival.

When the mayor, Paul, turns up to talk about the festival with a journalist, Hilary interrupts to say she is a victim of his budget cuts.

While waiting for her bus, Hilary meets Daniel Robinson (Tim Phillipps), Scott and Charlene's son.

Hilary threatens to stay at Paul's apartment for the night, so he gives her money to start up some of the community services again.

A couple of months later, Hilary returns to give Paul his daughter Amy Williams' (Zoe Cramond) last known address.

After learning that Paul wants to close Erinsborough High to build a housing development, Hilary returns on behalf of the pensions association to voice their opposition.

Paul hosts a family lunch for Hilary and invites Daniel, Amy and her son Jimmy (Darcy Tadich).

Imogen Willis (Ariel Kaplan) offers legal advice to Hilary and she demands her money back from Paul.

A few weeks later, Hilary is introduced to Doug Willis (Terence Donovan) and his family, who are looking for a care home for him as he is suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Hilary informs mayor Sonya Mitchell (Eve Morey) that the pensioners association has received too much funding.

Paul invites Hilary and her friends to a silent afternoon tea dance run by Courtney Grixti (Emma Lane), who he introduces as his fiancée.

Hilary and Moira eavesdrop on Karl and Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne) discussing potentially giving Terese work at Eirini Rising after being forced to step down.

[23] In her book, The Neighbours Programme Guide, author Josephine Monroe assessed that "Hilary is not anyone's ideal mother – she barely scrapes through in the wicked stepmother stakes – and Matt was disappointed when she showed no interest in getting to know him.

Hilary came in fourth place and the readers called her "perpetually bitchy and irascible – got on everyone's nerves and was hugely funny".

[26] In Neighbours: The Official Annual 1991, John McCready and Nicola Furlong said that Sharon Davies (Jessica Muschamp) never got any peace and tranquillity when Hilary was around.

[27] The Evening Times said Hilary "is the tactless cousin of The Robinson family who despite all her faults did bring Beverly and Jim together.