Dave was born in Lismore NSW and upon leaving school, completed an apprenticeship as a Boilermaker. While Dave enjoyed his Trade, he had a calling to be an Educator and in1983, just two years after completing his trade, he began his teaching career at Granville TAFE and completed his Teaching Degree at Charles Sturt University.
Dave and Robyn married in 1984 and most of their working life was in Coffs Harbour where they raised their two sons.
Dave believes Education is a wonderful profession in that “it enables one to contribute to and at times, change people’s lives.”
In 37 years of service to Education, Dave held various roles in TAFE with the last 15 years in consultancy. Dave was heavily involved in WorldSkills Australia as a National Judge and has mentored and coached Australian champions who are considered to be up there with the best in the world.
A highlight of Dave’s career was being recognised for his lifetime contribution to Education with the ‘Director General of Education Award for Excellent Service to Education and Training.’
Dave’s career in community service began in Coffs Harbour as an active member of APEX holding several board positions. In his position as President of Park Beach Apex Club, Dave is proud to have led his club which was one of only a few in Australia to accept women members.
Dave was on the Board of Directors of Hockey Coffs Coast for 10 years. He successfully coached many Junior teams and played and coached at both a local and state representative level. Dave’s two sons are both NSW representatives with Matt also being an Australian Country representative.
In 2012, Dave and Robyn moved from Coffs Harbour to Ballina. With both their parents requiring support, they felt the time was right to move back to their old stomping ground. Dave and Robyn have 4 generations of their family living in the Northern Rivers. Both their parents and son James with his wife Amanda and 3 young children reside in Lismore and son Matt and his partner Mikaylah, live in Ballina.
Dave and Robyn joined the Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond in 2014 and as they say, the rest is history. Dave is a multiple Paul Harris Recipient and has held various board positions as Community Service Director, Membership Chair (both at Club and District level) and Club President for two years helping grow club membership substantially and introducing community- based service projects that connect with community. Ballina-on-Richmond’s Domestic Violence and Family Abuse project has been a game changer with Dave being instrumental in forming many partnerships at a local, national and international level. This year will see our District lead a Zone 8 campaign on Domestic and Family Violence.
Dave is very much looking forward to working with you to achieve great things in the year ahead.
