Fiona Dalton (1984)

I grew up in Newcastle in the 1970s and near Merewether Beach in the early 80s, and it was a very happy childhood. When I was 15, my parents asked me if I would like to spend my final two years of school at Pymble as a boarder, given my Mum was a Pymble girl in the 50s. Always being up for an adventure, I said yes.

And so, in 1983, we packed the car and drove to Sydney for the start of a two-year journey that fundamentally changed the course of my life.

I remember being quite homesick for a few weeks; however, the Year 11 Boarders in Lang House were incredibly welcoming. I was grateful for their friendship with so many new rules to learn. Some of those girls are still my closest friends nearly 40 years later, and together we’ve laughed, cried, loved, supported and lived. In those days, the Year 8 to 10s still slept out on the balcony – thankfully, I was spared that. Our beds were to be changed weekly and we were given one fresh sheet to perform the task. The rule was top to the bottom and the bottom one out. 

Life at Pymble as a boarder suited me, and I thrived. The academic standard was much higher than I was used to and I probably didn’t work as hard as I should have, but there was always so much to do. I loved playing sport at Pymble and was quite involved in Netball. At the end of Year 11, the school announced the office bearers for Year 12. I didn’t think being a prefect would be an option for me, as I thought only girls that had been at the school for longer than a year could be chosen.

However, I was chosen, and no one was more surprised than me. Being a prefect has had a profound impact on me. It was the first time in my life that I realised I was capable of much more than I thought, and I was so proud to be entrusted with such an honour. I ended my schooling years with the inaugural Senior School Entrance Award, many happy memories, a good grade and a swag of pals I’ve been so grateful to call my lifelong friends.

Looking back, the environment at Pymble supported me to become resilient and independent. As a result, my career has never been defined by my gender, nor has my gender defined my career. The world didn’t owe me a living; I knew I had to carve out my own. I know I am tenacious, and I know I owe that to Pymble.

Upon leaving school, I deferred my place at university to study geology and serendipitously got a job in stockbroking. More to allow me the option to remain living in Sydney than because I was passionate about finance, but it opened many doors that, over the next few years, led to becoming a trader with Rothschild.

I was the only female bullion trader in the southern hemisphere in the late 80s at the tender age of 21. I worked the graveyard shift, as it was called, from 4.00am till about 1.00pm each day. From Sydney, I went to work for Rothschild in London, still in bullion, working through a challenging and volatile time that included the Gulf War.

I had a fantastic career in investment banking, however it wasn’t my passion. Travel had stolen my heart, so I started again at age 26 in travel and tourism, and over the last 29 years, I have worked my way into some relatively senior roles. I’ve been the GM of Sales for Qantas Holidays, the Managing Director for Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, the CEO of The Travel Corporation and currently, in my favourite role of all, the General Manager for Australia and New Zealand for Virtuoso, the world’s largest luxury travel community.

I’m also a Non-Executive Director of Destination Sydney Surrounds and North, the tourism region that spans from Port Stephens in the north to the Upper Hunter, Lower Hunter and Central Coast in the south. I’m excited to play my part in giving back to the visitor economy in my spiritual and childhood heartland over the next few years.

From the record-breaking heights of 2019, the pandemic has hit our industry probably the hardest of all sectors. It’s been an incredibly tough time for travel and tourism operators. The world came to a standstill, our borders were shut and many tourism businesses forcibly could not trade. Over 60 per cent of employees across the industry were stood down and had to find work in other sectors, and a lot subsequently have not returned. Many travel and tourism businesses did not survive, and the uncertainty meant many previously successful small business owners lost their livelihoods. It’s been both heartbreaking and devastating to watch.

We knew that travel would bounce back, we just didn’t know when. The pent-up demand was extraordinary, and wow, since the border has reopened the industry recovery is in full swing. Despite the current economic and inflationary fears, forward bookings for outbound travel are solid and Australians are back out exploring the world again. The silver lining from the pandemic for me is that newfound love we all have for Australia and a chance to rethink, putting conscious and purposeful travel first.

Often the tourism industry gets a bad rap. We’re frequently seen as counterproductive to sustainability goals and a large contributor to climate change. There’s always a view that over-tourism results in overcrowding and damage at the world’s most sacred sites.

But I know that travel can be a force for good. With a tread lightly approach to how we travel, we can easily see the difference travel can make – on the planet, on animal conservation and our people. By travelling, you’re investing in local economies, helping preserve ancient cultures and artisans’ crafts and aiding wildlife protection. Making a difference is as easy as choosing a knowledgeable advisor who can help guide you on eco and sustainable tourism options and support you to offset your travel arrangements purposefully.

Travel also helps us be better humans. Travellers are, overall, more understanding, more tolerant, and more embracing of cultural diversity, and travel plays an important role in teaching us acceptance.

As for me, coinciding with the pandemic, I took nine months away from full-time work in 2020 to finally attend university. I studied full-time and completed a master’s in Business Administration with a major in Managing and Leading People at SCU. I graduated in June 2022. 

Despite being involved in leadership over the last decade, my MBA has given me the confidence and completeness in the workplace I knew I was missing. At times I admit I felt the all too familiar imposter syndrome, believing I wasn’t worthy of success without qualifications. I think I’ve always regretted not going to university straight after school, but now that I have my post-grad degree, I am finally at peace. I know now that I am more than worthy and, in fact, always was.

More recently, I’ve been actively mentoring the next generation of leaders across the travel industry and spent three years volunteering on the board of a mentoring not-for-profit called TIME (Travel Industry Mentor Experience). I get great personal satisfaction from mentoring the bright, capable, ambitious cohort coming through the industry today, and I know the industry will be in good hands.

And finally, my most important role of all: I am the proudest mum to Alistair (23) and Lucy (20). I’ve been a single Mum since they were 5 and 2, and supporting them to grow up and find their place in the world has been my greatest privilege. That I could also offer Lucy the gift of a Pymble education was an important moment for me as a parent. As the generations continue, I know Pymble will always hold a very special place in our family.