Vale David Dash

Last Updated: Tuesday, 17 August 2021 14:31

The family of David Macdonald Dash are sad to inform you of his passing on Saturday August 7 following a diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis a number of years ago. 

David was an intrepid walker and regular Sydney Summer Series orienteer with Garingal. In recent years he did much of his walking in the Wollemi and Gardens of Stone National Parks.

Resourceful and unassuming, David also made a strong contribution to Newcastle's presentation of major events during the 1990s and early 2000s in a behind-the-scenes capacity, often doing the jobs others shied away from.

He was also the instigator of a group of walkers in the mid-2000s that took on the acronym ETHIC, standing for Engineers Track Heritage Infrastructure Committee, with the aim of bringing back heritage sites along the epic track which ran along the Grose River from Yarramundi to the Darling Causeway made famous by Dot Butler, the barefoot bushwalker, in earlier times. 

David and wife Willemina, both keen bush carers, moved to Newcastle two years ago and have been much missed by the local bushcare team in Greville Street, Chatswood. 

Born on March 31, 1943, he was a much-loved husband, father, grandfather, and brother. A not-quite retired civil engineer and passionate bushwalker. 

There will be no service at this time. As an expression of sympathy donations to the Lung Foundation Australia or the Colong Foundation for Wilderness would be greatly appreciated in lieu of flowers.