After all, it was the first time the pair had met in more than 50 years, since both men were King's High School pupils in Dunedin in the early 1950s.
And, their paths had certainly diverged in the intervening years - Mr Hilliker (75) moved to Temuka and worked as a GP until retiring just two weeks ago, while Mr Lake travelled the world as a journalist and later became a European Union ambassador.
Nevertheless, their paths crossed again last night as 610 former pupils and staff reunited at Dunedin's Edgar Centre for the start of the King's High School 75th jubilee reunion.
It was a chance for old mates and some now-famous faces to catch up over a few drinks, and the smiles and laughter quickly followed.
Mr Lake, who has retired but still lives in England, said his trip home to New Zealand was his first visit in a decade, and had stirred unexpected emotions.
Journalism had taken him from The New Zealand Herald to the United Kingdom's Scotsman and Guardian newspapers in the 1960s, as well as the BBC World Service, before he joined the European Commission.
That led to a 30-year career as a European Union ambassador, with postings in New York, Brussels, Tokyo, Turkey and Hungary.
Mr Lake said he was particularly impressed by the calibre of King's old boys produced over 75 years, and believed his education at the school had stood him in good stead.
"There are some very distinguished people here and it's very heartwarming to be part of this group," he said.
Last night's notable guest list also included 13 past and present All Blacks, the youngest one-test wing/fullback Ben Smith (24) and the oldest Ray Bell (84), who played three tests in 1951-52.
Former New Zealand cricketers Warren Lees and Ian Smith - now a broadcaster - were also on the guest list, alongside fellow broadcasters Peter Montgomery and Murray Deaker.
Five academics and staff from England's Cambridge University also made the trip to Dunedin, as did Hugh Templeton, a former diplomat, politician and Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University.
Festivities would continue over the weekend, including a formal dinner tonight and a church service and brunch tomorrow.
