Tony was born at Angaston & District Hospital in 1957, educated at Angaston Primary School, Nuriootpa High School and The School of Printing & Graphic Arts, Adelaide. He went on to further study in journalism, photography and business management.

He commenced work at The Leader under his grandfather and father in the early 1970’s. When his father, Rae suffered a sudden heart attack in 1990, Tony stepped up to take over the business. He has continued that family tradition of over 100 years, publishing local news and recording Barossa history, and is proud to now be working with his sons, Peter and Darren.

For over 50 years, he has gotten to know and served the Barossa community through photographing and writing stories about its people.

The Leader regularly sponsors many Barossa community organisations and Tony has stepped in to assist groups when needed.  He helped Nuriootpa High School to gain Federal funding for their new wine centre wine. He ran a successful campaign to reinstate stop signs at prominent intersections in the region and helped to publicise the funding campaign to build The Barossa Cellar.

He has served on committees of the South Australia Country Press, the Angaston Trader’s Association, Angaston Community and Business Alliance and Operation Flinders, is a Life Member and Patron of Angaston Show Society and an Honorary Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Barossa Valley.

In 2021, The Leader purchased The Southern Argus based in Strathalbyn, saving an important regional newspaper. The Leader was awarded Best Newspaper in South Australia in 2022 and 2023.