Biography

David has always believed that it’s important to make a difference to the community and not to take for granted the way of life we enjoy. He believes in hard work, determination to succeed, giving back to the community and helping others help themselves. It is these values that David Southwick brings with him as the Member for Caulfield.

David completed his High School Certificate at Mount Scopus College and went on to study for a Bachelor of Business at Victoria University. In 1991 he was awarded an Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his service on the University Council and in 1996 he went on to study a Graduate Diploma in Marketing at Monash University.

An entrepreneur, David has established a number of businesses including being the founder and managing director of The Body Collection. In this business he employed 50 staff and had a local manufacturing base in Moorabbin. David has also been the director or managing director of The Market Stars Group, ICE Events Pty Ltd and David James Investments Pty Ltd.

David has held various academic positions at RMIT University including the Entrepreneur in Residence, and until recently was the Head of the Executive Education Unit (Faculty of Business and Law) at Victoria University.

A strong believer in giving back to the community, David is heavily involved with a number of community organisations. He is the Immediate Past President of the Ardoch Youth Foundation, the Chairman of the National Training Board for Virtual Enterprise Australia and was until recently the Vice President of Try Youth and Community Services and Big Brother, Big Sister. In recognition of his work assisting local youth, David was made the City of Stonington’s Citizen of the Year in 2009.

Born in Caulfield and living most of his life in the area, David is looking forward to being able to make a difference through representing the interest of the local community and fighting for the issues that are important to them.