“I liken the job to having a child – you labour for nine months and then give birth to a show – and it’s all over in three days,” he said.

“It’s funny isn’t it,” the 67-year-old retired naval petty officer and local government manager said.

David was born and educated in Broken Hill and spent his final years of secondary education at Marcellin College in Wangaratta.

“I actually went there to be trained as a Marist Brother, a teaching order of the Catholic church.

“I was asked to leave,” he laughed.

“I was a bit of a ‘tearaway’, I had a bit of a temper and the headmaster had a quiet chat and suggested I return to Broken Hill to complete my education – and I did.

David then worked at a variety of jobs in Broken Hill.

“I did an accounting course at night at the technical college, which led me to a qualification in accountancy.

“It was at that time and being a member of the citizens military service (CMF) in Broken Hill, that I decided I wanted to join the Australian army.

For more of this story, purchase your copy of Thursday’s Sunraysia Daily 3/11/2009.