David was first elected as an Honorary Member of the Club at last years’ Changeover and the Board has renewed David’s Honorary Membership for 2023/24.

David joined Rotary in January 1963 and became a member of this Club in November 1974, which makes him our longest-serving current Rotarian and Club member.  David was Club Secretary in 1977-78 and served as Club President in 1982-83.  

One of the major projects undertaken in David’s presidential year concerned the former Willesmere Hospital, then part of Kew Psychiatric Hospital. After visiting the hospital with other Club members to assess its needs, David organised a raffle which resulted in the Club donating the equivalent in today’s dollars of over $14,000 to the hospital.

David was renowned for the efficient and entertaining way he ran Club meetings, dispensing plentiful doses of Rotary medicine laced with his inimitable sense of humour. 

During David’s presidency, Club meetings were often attended by guests and visitors, many of whom complimented him on what they considered were the most interesting, entertaining, and best-conducted Rotary meetings they had attended.

David was also a great encourager, believing that ‘more flies are caught with molasses than vinegar’. He was alert to the value of bringing younger members of potential into the Club, one of whom, his partner at Rennick & Gaynor, David Rush, was in turn President in 1991-92.

The history of the Club’s first 40 years sums up David’s year as President by saying that the Rotary ethos is caught, rather than taught, and the Club caught a great deal of the best of Rotary from David and his wife Helen.

Congratulations David, and Helen too, for proving David with stalwart support throughout his years of service to Rotary.

Our photos show David as Sergeant-at-Arms, receiving his certificate of Honorary Membership with David Rush and President-elect Doug McLean, and finally Helen and David at a social function, flanking Susan and Geoff Wright.