Old Boys & Alumni Highlights
Old Boy Returns to Inspire
Tony Baillie, Class of 2012, who splits his time between Wanaka and the USA, recently returned to Dilworth to speak with Year 11 students. Unable to attend the recent Careers Evening, Tony was invited back by the Year 11 Dean, who believed Tony’s unconventional career path would resonate—and it did.
From the army, to race cars, to snowmobiles, to winter-tyre R&D and testing in Wanaka (a global hub for snow technology), to working on helicopters and luxury vehicles, Tony’s journey has been anything but linear. His message to students was clear: be open to change, say yes to new opportunities—even the unexpected ones—and keep moving forward. “Anything is possible,” he told them.
Tony’s favourite subject? Woodwork, of course—closely followed by Physics and Maths, which he says are useful everywhere. After a lively Q&A with students, Tony and his partner Claire toured the Senior Campus, revisiting his old boarding house (Armagh), seeing the new Year 9 facilities, and catching up with Woodwork teacher Kris Calder (also a fellow Old Boy) in the newly upgraded workshop.
We’re grateful to Tony for returning to Dilworth to gift us his time and share his talents, inspiring the next generation, and reminding us all that success comes in many forms.
