Community Impact Award

Across more than three decades of military service, David’s responsibilities have changed considerably. One principle has remained constant: his belief that leadership is ultimately measured by its impact on others. 

“If I could distil leadership into a simple statement, it’s about helping people to be better versions of themselves,” David said. 

Today, that belief guides David’s work with the Australian Army Cadets. 

As National Commander since 2024, David leads an organisation of around 20,000 cadets supported by more than 2,000 adult volunteers across Australia. Its programs give young people practical experiences in leadership, teamwork and community service. 

“You see young 13-year-olds enter the program, some having difficulty expressing themselves. By the end of the program, you’ve got young Australians that are confident, capable, can lead their peers and deliver across all walks of life in all communities in Australia.” 

Some of the work David values most is happening in regional and remote Australia, where cadet units can become an important part of their local communities. 

“Some of the most rewarding cadet units I get to see are the smaller ones, where we’ve got one to two volunteers, and these volunteers are amazing humans, the type of people that hold communities together.” 

“They’re out there giving up their own time, looking after these young Australians and helping them to develop.” 

David has championed increased participation in regional, remote and First Nations communities. Under his leadership, the organisation has also strengthened connections with universities and industry and expanded programs in STEM, aviation, robotics and cyber. 

During an adventure training program in Tasmania, David watched a group of cadets spend a week hiking, kayaking and facing unfamiliar conditions. 

“You could just see them grow from where they started to where they finished.” 

David also sees the cadet experience as a way of opening up possibilities beyond the program. 

“We see ourselves as a vehicle to help young Australians launch into adulthood. And that’s a big part of it.” 

His own experience of higher education helps explain why. 

David began studying a Bachelor of Management and Professional Studies at Southern Cross University while serving as a junior Army officer. His work moved him between jobs and locations, including from Sydney to Townsville, while the University’s flexible study model allowed him to continue his degree alongside full-time service. He graduated in 2006. 

“My degree at Southern Cross University was really the start of my tertiary journey, and I’ve gone on to get other tertiary education,” he said. 

“But I look back now and see how important that initial phase was for me. It really taught me how to study. It was the right structure for me at that stage and really put me on a great journey of learning.” 

David says the degree also developed management and leadership skills that he continues to draw on today. 

“I still remember much of those learnings now and still put them into practice.” 

That experience continues to inform David’s work with cadets. He has helped establish tertiary agreements designed to create clearer pathways for young people considering further education. 

“It has been really rewarding to see the organisation able to get some tertiary agreements up and running to give cadets a glide path into opportunities,” he said. 

“I look back and reflect on my own university journey and how much that broadened me. So, I want to ensure that we give that opportunity to more young Australians.” 

David’s commitment to developing others has been tested and refined across a substantial military career. He has commanded at platoon, company, battalion and brigade levels and served on operations in East Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq. His service in Afghanistan was recognised with the Distinguished Service Medal, followed by a Bar to the medal for his service in Iraq. 

Education has also been threaded through his senior appointments. As Commandant of the Combined Arms Training Centre, he oversaw the training of thousands of Army recruits and the delivery of individual training courses. As Director Soldier Career Management Army, he worked across a workforce of more than 20,000 soldiers, with responsibilities spanning career development and talent management. 

Asked what makes him proudest, David returns to the people he has worked alongside. 

David was quick to share the recognition with the cadet movement and its volunteers. 

“It’s a huge honour to be recognised by Southern Cross University.” 

“It’s something that I take away as great recognition for the cadet movement and all of our volunteers for the work that they do in and around Australia on a day-to-day basis.” 

Thousands of young people will eventually leave the cadet movement for universities, trades, the Australian Defence Force and other careers. 

“As cadets leave the program, my hope is that they’re leaving more confident, more resilient, with better leadership skills. 

“I hope that they go back into the Australian community and thrive.”