Dave was born in Lismore. He left Lismore in 1983 to begin a Career with TAFE NSW in Granville, Sydney as a Teacher of Engineering Trades. Dave transferred to Coffs Harbour with his wife Robyn in 1990 and continued working there until 2020. He has a Bachelor of Teaching and has just semi-retired after 37 years as an Engineering Trades Teacher at TAFE with the last 15 years spent in a consultancy role. Dave has developed state-wide curriculum and assessments in Engineering Trades and is qualified as a Pressure Welding Inspector and Certifier. Dave is a recipient of The Director General of Education Award for Excellent Service to Public Education and Training.
He has been a National Judge for World Skills Australia and coached an Australian winner of the World Skills Olympics who was ranked in the top 10 in the world.
Throughout his life he has been involved in various community and sporting organisations. Dave served for 10 years on the Board of Directors for Coffs Coast Hockey Association and has coached and played in representative teams at a state level.
David and Robyn joined the Rotary Club of Ballina on Richmond in 2014. As President of the Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond in 2019 and 2020, Dave, together with his team, initiated and led the club’s dynamic membership growth of attracting 18 new members in 18 months to become the 3rd largest Rotary club in our district with 48 members at that time. It is the largest Rotary club in the NSW side of our district. Dave plans to grow his club to +55 members.
Dave and Robyn have 2 adult sons, a daughter-in-law and 3 grandchildren.
