It is with deep sadness that we honour the passing of former Haileybury Council Chairman, Richard Tom Poulton (Tom) who made an outstanding contribution to Haileybury as a Chair of Council from 2009–2023. We celebrate Tom’s profound impact, as an enduring symbol of dedication, integrity and leadership. 

Tom attended Haileybury from 1961 and completed Year 12 in 1966. He was a member of the School Cadets, a School Probationer and was awarded the Douglas Lennie Prize for English Literature. Tom passed Matriculation in 1966 with First Class Honours in Modern History and was awarded a Commonwealth Tertiary Scholarship to study Law at Melbourne University. 

He graduated from Melbourne University with LL B (Hons.) and was a corporate lawyer for over 38 years. 

Tom advised senior management and boards of directors in some of the largest Australian and international corporations. He was also known as a long-standing advocate for women’s rights and equality in the workplace. 

In 2008, Tom joined the Haileybury Council and was elected Chairman in 2009. He served as Chairman until his retirement in 2023. Tom demonstrated outstanding stewardship, guided by a profound understanding of Haileybury’s vision and an unwavering dedication to our values.  

During his 15 years of voluntary service as Haileybury Council Chairman, the School’s impact on education in Victoria, and Australia more widely, was exceptional. Haileybury became the largest independent school in Australia with five Melbourne campuses, including our pioneering virtual campus – Haileybury Pangea and schools in Darwin and China and other international programs.  

Tom always maintained an intense interest in student activities, assiduously supporting School concerts, plays and musicals, Highland Gatherings, Speech Nights and Graduation ceremonies. His supportive presence was a constant in the life of the School.  

Tom’s service was extraordinary. He donated around 20 hours a week to his role at Haileybury.  

As Chair of Haileybury Council, Tom was an inspirational force. “His leadership was characterised by integrity, wisdom and an ability to foster collaboration. Tom not only preserved the principles upon which Haileybury was founded but also infused it with a forward-thinking spirit,” says Haileybury Principal|CEO Derek Scott.

Beyond his exemplary Board service, Tom inspired Council and the School Executive to elevate their own contributions and set new standards of excellence.  

At Haileybury, ‘every student matters every day’ and Tom strongly believed in helping students to achieve their full potential, academic and otherwise.  

He will be greatly missed. 

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Wendy, Robert, Alice and their families.