Ken Baillie

Hi my name is Ken Baillie and I became an amputee in November 2007 after a long battle trying to eradicate a Golden Staph infection which I contracted during a hospitalisation after having had a total knee replacement.

I was born in England and enlisted in the Royal Engineers. During my service I represented the British Army in soccer whilst serving in Europe and the Middle East, now you can see why I needed the knee replacement, soccer is one of the worst sports for knee injuries and I had quite a few over the years..

I came to Australia in 1969 and to-date have never been back. Upon arriving I bought a Golden Fleece service station and restaurant at Port Wakefield, it was during this time that I met my wife Leonie who was living and working in Balaklava just twenty kilometres away.

After I left the business I got involved in the transport industry starting off as a casual driver, but soon made the move into the office as an Operations Manager.

My job took us around Australia which was good for Leonie as she had never been outside of South Australia until she met me. We worked out that over an eighteen year period we had lived in twenty two houses in all states and territories except WA and Tasmania; I don't think this part really pleased Leonie, having to be constantly packing and unpacking but it was a great adventure and gave us both an opportunity to see this great land.

We have been blessed with three children two of whom are married and our youngest (seventeen years younger than his sister) is just completing year twelve at Rostrevor College.

My career highlight would have to be when I achieved the position of General Manager for a group of seven companies. I was responsible for the daily operations of these diverse companies covering everything from budgets, sales and marketing administration and the development of each company; however I think the one area that I enjoyed the most was dealing with existing and potential customers.

Through this contact I have maintained a good relationship with a lot of business people even though I am no longer involved with the industry.

I am looking forward to the future with a lot of hope and some excitement, I don't consider myself to be 'disabled' just slightly challenged and I look forward to the challenges that life and the SA Amputee Golf Association has in store for me.

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