HANSARD
SITTING CALENDAR
SEARCH
LIVE BROADCAST
Hansard Dynamic Member Index
Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2015-09-09 Daily Xml
Contents
Pdf Xml

Day, Mr David John 'Daisy'

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:39): It is with great sadness that I note the pasting of David John 'Daisy' Day in May of this year after a long battle with genetic kidney disease. David was a much loved radio personality, entertainer, and dedicated husband and father to Jason, Sally, Gary, Mitchel and Lachlan. David was a man grateful for a life that others could only dream of.

Born in Coraki, New South Wales, David was educated in Lismore and Moree, New South Wales, and started working in radio at 2LM Lismore while still at school. He moved to Victoria for a full-time job in radio, where he met Gloria and fathered children, Jason and Sally.

Whilst on air at 3NE Wangaratta, he was discovered by 5KA program director Bill Page for a job in Adelaide, and it was during this exciting era that 5KA was then considered to be one of the most progressive radio stations in Australia. David soon became 'king of the kids', going to air as David Monday, David Tuesday, etc., and through his hard work won four King of Pop, most popular radio announcer, Logies from 1975 to 1978.

David made it his mission to promote Australian music and helped promote many bands from their inception, including Cold Chisel, The Angels, Skyhawks, Sherbert and Dragon, as he believed our Australian talent pool was exceptional and could see many bands flirting with international fame. Not only did he promote their music but he made many lifelong friendships.

Indeed, I first met David while competing in the final of the SAFM Battle of the Bands, alongside Temper Temper and No Fixed Address. He also played Adelaide independent band Screaming Believers, who were one of the new wave of bands coming through at the time, on commercial Radio Adelaide. Paul Thompson started putting together Adelaide's first FM radio station, SSA-FM, and David was called in to be a part of this exciting new venture.

His on-air success at SAFM saw him attain a ratings share of 61 per cent of 18 to 39 year olds and 52 per cent of 25 to 39 year olds. David worked both on and off air at Austereo, where he created competitions, trained staff, voiced many commercials and helped put together Triple M. During this time, David's son Gary was born, to second wife, Alison. At SAFM, David petitioned the government for the Adelaide Entertainment Centre to be built and, along with Phil Dowse, put on the inaugural concert there. In 1992 he ran away to Spain with Annette, to marry at the Australian embassy, and later fathered sons, Mitchel and Lachlan.

David wrote articles for the Adelaide News, hosted the first music video clip show in Adelaide, Nightshift, and co-hosted Countdown with Molly Meldrum. In 1988, he co-wrote the still sought-after book, SA great it's our music with the late Tim Parker and self-published his autobiography, Rock Jock, in 2012. David dined with Prince Charles and Lady Diana, drove in the celebrity race of the Adelaide Grand Prix and was the compere of countless concerts. He interviewed many of the world's greatest artists, including Sir Paul McCartney. David was a prolific writer, the brainchild behind many of radio's most outstanding promotions, and this creativity saw another outlet in his love of painting.

David served as a board member of the Adelaide Tattoo, SA Music House, served as a Glenelg ward councillor for two terms, and he was a Justice of the Peace and offered his services to the then Spastic Centre and many other charities over the years. Australian AirCheck Services was a business he started to help many young people in regional and remote areas improve their skills as an on-air personality. He co-founded the Broadcast Academy with Mark Aiston and Kevin Mulcahy, and finally headed up the Australian Radio School, where he trained some of our well-known personalities and found them jobs all over the country.

Whilst he had a reputation as a wild man of rock, David's health problems from a genetic kidney disease started in 1992. Throughout his many years of illness, he continued to support and mentor others at every opportunity. David pushed the development of the music industry and lobbied relentlessly, assisted by John Schumann, who, I think, worked for the arts minister Di Laidlaw at the time, and was also supported by the Hon. Angus Redford. The treasurer at the time was the Hon. R.I. Lucas, and I am advised that many robust debates took place. The debates continue, and it is pleasing that Premier Weatherill and cabinet recognise the live music entertainment and hospitality industry as an economic pillar of this state.

David started and chaired the South Australian chapter of Support Act Limited, the musicians' benevolent fund. His work with this great organisation also includes a monthly networking lunch club, the Debonairs. David got to see his dream of the South Australian Music Hall of Fame come to life, with the hope that it would grow and become something all South Australians can be proud of. One of David's greatest character strengths was his celebration of the success of others.

David's dream was that everyone should see their own dreams fulfilled. Vale, David Day, and thank you. You will be greatly missed. My sincere condolences go out to Annette and the family for their loss.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS
MEMBERS
GET INVOLVED
ABOUT PARLIAMENT
VISIT
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
CONTACT