David Spaulding

“A group of us still catch up from Yarra and the camaraderie that has lasted from then to now is terrific.”

The first day of Form 1 was a little daunting for David Spaulding. Dressed in his cherry red blazer, school shorts and freshly ironed shirt, he arrived at Yarra not knowing anyone

“But the teachers were very welcoming and there was so much pastoral care to ensure everyone settled in. I buddied up with a friend on day one and we’re still the best of mates more than 50 years later,” he says.

David took advantage of Yarra’s many sports opportunities – he played cricket and footy – and in the classroom, he particularly enjoyed science. He recalls his physics and biology teachers and his English teacher as being especially inspiring.

“My English teacher put every ounce of effort into helping us and my Physics teacher started the year by saying ‘if you come to my classes and do the work, I guarantee you will pass.’ He made the subject so clear,” recalls David.

After graduating, David studied science at Monash University and then began working as an industrial chemist in the pharmaceutical industry, where he remained for his entire career.

“But I didn’t stay in the same role for more than two-and-a-half years. Once I mastered a role, I moved on although often remained within the same company,” says David.

“I started as a chemist working on the bench and making and testing new formulations. Then I went into production management and then became a pharmaceutical rep selling to doctors. I spent 14 years in sales and marketing but later, that enabled me to run pharmaceutical companies because I had a broad understanding of the whole industry.”

Moving in to sales and marketing and working as a rep was an important step in David’s career and taught him a valuable lesson for when he later became a CEO.

“It was a step backwards to later move three or four steps forwards — I learned a lot.”

David’s experiences at Yarra were so positive that he and his wife also chose to send their daughter to the school. She also flourished during her years at Yarra.

“This school has been wonderful to me and to my daughter.”

Now retired, he enjoys travelling with walking trips to Lord Howe Island and Uluru on the agenda. He is also an active volunteer for kids’ sports and helps organise the Yarra Old Grammarian’s Golf Day.

“The school has been wonderful to me and I want to give back,” he says.