THE career of a prominent Riverland horticulturalist was celebrated recently, with Renmark High School renaming its agriculture block in his honour.
Ian Tolley, who left Renmark High School more than 70 years ago, said he was proud to receive the honour.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever been acknowledged in a concrete way in the community, and Tolleys have been in this region since my grandfather came with the Chaffeys as the first surveyor,” he said.
Mr Tolley’s life and career were celebrated at a renaming ceremony, attended by friends and family, plus former and current Renmark High School students.
Beyond his achievements in horticulture, Mr Tolley was also elected chairperson of the Renmark High School governing council in 1970.
“I was principally responsible for getting the high school where it is, and that’s one of my better achievements,” he said.
“It was very circular for me to come back home again and visit the school and be honoured in such a way.
“It’s been utterly transformed. I couldn’t describe it more positively.
“We had the opportunity to adopt forward-looking principles… we were determined at that stage to see it as one campus, everything attached to schooling should be close by and that’s been achieved.
“When you look at what the students have now where they interact with practically all the other high schools in the Riverland, it’s just a fantastic development and an extension beyond my wildest dreams.”
Mr Tolley said his time at Renmark High School had been “absolutely critical” in launching his career.
“When you review a whole lifetime, you begin to understand just how important that original learning opportunity is,” he said.
“High school is so formative if it’s done right… and it opens your eyes wide to the outer world.
“As Australians we have a unique opportunity to be flexible, put ourselves out there and make use of what is coming for our future.”
The ceremony is part of an ongoing effort by the school to rename buildings after prominent former students, with the school’s D Block renamed in honour of Lieutenant General Rick Burr earlier this year and the gym renamed in honour of the Mickan family in 2019.