David was born in Bunbury and raised in Brunswick Junction, located in the southwest of Western Australia between Harvey and Bunbury. He graduated from Australind High School in 2018 having attained Certificate II qualifications in IT and Business. David started working at Harvey Beef as an IT helpdesk officer and since then has risen through the ranks to become second in command to his supervisor.

At the age of eight, David began competing in the competition firefighter games alongside his two brothers and sister. David’s father, Rob, has been the coach for many years so it would have been near on impossible for David not to be involved.

At 14 years old, David returned as a junior competitor, earning himself ‘composite team’ status, which is made up of the zone’s most competent athletics, and he would soon become the Junior Competition team’s coach. “I enjoy all aspects of the competitions. From the social aspect, to encouraging younger people to become involved, and being able to teach to others something that I love so much,” David explains.

In 2018, when David was 17 years old, he became an active firefighter with Brunswick Junction Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services. Over the course of a year, he dedicated all his spare time to turning out to incidents and furthering his training in all aspects of fire and rescue. All his hard work paid off when he was selected by brigade’s office bearers unanimously, to receive the Firefighter of the Year award for 2019.

David expressed an interest to join the VFRS Association’s Youth Committee in 2022.
“A huge priority for me is changing the way we put ourselves out there, not just by advertising what we are doing but showing the public in a visual way, to boost interest and encourage recruitment of youth to the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service,” says David.

Since commencing work with Harvey Beef, David has participated in project work, which has given him the opportunity to travel throughout Western Australia. In addition, he has attained Certificate III in IT. When he’s not working, training for the senior competition firefighter games or turning out to incidents, David enjoys spending time in his home in Brunswick Junction.