“I did a course with Leadership Victoria once, which proved to be one of the most enlightening things I have ever done,” he said.
“What I took away from this was in order to be a good leader you need to look a little further outside of yourself, and not necessarily what you need or want, in order to be successful.”
The owner-operator of Ky General Engineering, which is one of the few remaining regionally based companies manufacturing irrigation pumps, has a list of community achievements to match his business feats.
David is one of the most sought after figures in the Kyabram community to serve at board level or in a service group leadership capacity.
But he says his time will one day be up and identifying new leaders in the town was important to foster the continued development of infrastructure and the maintenance of current facilities.
“The answer is youth. Being able to discover where the next leaders are coming from, then actively seeking them out, should be the priority to getting them involved in the town,” he said.
David, his wife of 38 years, Sue, and daughter Lauryn, arrived in Kyabram in August 1990. Daughters Sarah and Marnie followed in later years.
“Lauryn was only 18 months old and I had made the decision to end a 15 year association with the Board of Works in Melbourne,” he said.
“I’ve actually only ever had two jobs, there and here at Ky General.”
A fitter and turner by trade, the appeal of country life and being closer to family was a contributing factor, but it wasn’t a case of throwing a dart at the map of Victoria.
“We chose Kyabram,” he said.
“Sue’s folks had retired to Kyabram and mine to Rushworth.
“Whilst this brought us closer to them, it was the reputation of a well-run town, good schools and of a great place to bring up kids, and it didn’t disappoint.”
He obtained a job at Ky General Engineering, working for John Coombs, where he met Graeme Elliott, who had just completed his apprenticeship.
They formed a partnership and some six years later bought the business, which they ran for the next 16 years. Graeme then moved into running his own bus company, leaving David as sole proprietor up until now.
It was through Graeme that David found his way to Lancy ( Lancaster Football/Netball club), which he says is one of the best things his family did.
“It provided an opportunity to meet so many people, many now lifelong friends, and also a great and safe environment, which is as strong as ever today,” he said.
Eventually, as is his habit, David found his way into a leadership role with the Kyabram District League’s Wombats.
He served as football manager for a number of years, then president for four years of an association that lasted 13 years.
Work has never been enough for the successful businessman, having initially transferred his Apex Club membership from Melbourne to Kyabram and stepping straight into the service club on his arrival.
“It provided a wonderful conduit to the local community,” David said.
“As members we had people like the town CEO, the head engineer, school teachers, farmers etc, and did some wonderful projects over those early years”.
Life membership of Apex followed for David, all the time while he was making more acquaintances (not all friends) as a cricket umpire.
“I umpired for nine or 10 years, and although sharing a beer after games it was never quite the same as when playing, but nevertheless enjoyable,” he said.
Once a month the grandfather of three dons his dinner suit and attends one of his other loves, Freemasonary, an organisation he says is at times a little misunderstood.
“In 1964 there was 124,000 members in Victoria,” David said.
“The post-war years contributed to these vast numbers, I joined in 1985 through Sue’s father when in my mid-20s.
“It became a ‘mysterious’ organisation because they couldn’t handle any more members, hence never advertising and copping the badge of ‘secret’.”
David has held several senior state roles with the lodge and yes, you guessed it, sits in the chair (Master of the Lodge) here in Kyabram.
“Freemasons do a heap in the community that most people aren’t aware of, pouring in millions yearly,” he said.
“Stories of goats and secret handshakes are things most talked about, particularly from my mates, but it is definitely a wonderful thing to be involved in.
“We are back to meeting in person, 30 of our 70-strong membership are regular attendees, practising the sound morals and ethics that it is famous for.”
He has been a member of the board of the Kyabram Club for nine years, currently in the role of chairman.
“It’s an iconic part of Kyabram,” he said.
With the unfortunate demise of Banksia in 2013, a motivated group banded together to explore the possibility of a community bank.
Of course that vision was realised and David is a proud member of the Kyabram Community Bank board of directors.
Then there is his latest role on the Kyabram Cemetery Trust — we could probably go on.
Local government is safe though, despite him once considering a tilt at council.
“After shire amalgamations, we here at Kyabram have definitely been the loser, hence the need for young people to take up the reins and keep us moving forward,” he said.
David said he still felt like he could contribute, probably most in sharing his experience, and passion for community with those coming through the leadership ranks.
“There’s no ego in what I do, having a solid understanding of my abilities, but would love to share my experience,” he said.
“I will be there to support the people who step up in the ensuing years, if they want me.”
As for the business, things are great.
“We are as good as we’ve been in my time,” he said.
“We have a product which was developed a generation ago, and are so proud to be still going today.
“Whilst selling Australia wide, the Riverina is now our main area, taking over the Goulburn Valley’s title as the food bowl of Australia.
“This is more about the way water supply has changed, rather than anything local farmers have done, but we remain optimistic for a gradual resurge locally.”
David’s advice for the community leaders in Kyabram’s future?
“There are going to be challenges, but there are enough positives in this town, which will make the work worthwhile,” he said.
