A life of service and integrity
The Scotch Family mourns the death of David Crawford AO(’ 61)
Born on 17 January 1944 at East Melbourne, David was the son of Frank Crawford( SC 1923 – 25), who attended Scotch on an OSCA War Scholarship and was one of OSCA’ s foundational contributors.
Attending Scotch from 1956 to 1962, David fully embraced Scotch’ s opportunities. He was a member of the 1st XI cricket team in 1961 and 1962, the 1st XVIII football team in 1962, a Probationer and Prefect in 1961, and Captain of Lawson-MacFarland House in 1962. He also led Fourth Troop as Troop Leader in Scouts.
His leadership qualities were already clear, setting a standard of service that would echo through his life.
David’ s dedication to Scotch continued well beyond his school years. He played football, cricket and tennis for Old Scotch clubs and served on the OSCA Council from 1973 to 1993. As Treasurer, Vice-President and ultimately President in 1987, he followed in his father’ s footsteps to become OSCA’ s first father-son president duo. He was awarded OSCA Honorary Life Membership in 2011.
From 1991 to 2012, David contributed profoundly to the Scotch College Council, ultimately serving as Chairman from 2006 to 2012. In that role, he helped appoint Principal Tom Batty, whose words capture David best:“ clear thinking, sound judgement, good humour and unquestioned loyalty to his school.”
David’ s service extended far beyond Scotch. A graduate in Law and Commerce from the University of Melbourne, he became one of Australia’ s most respected business leaders. He was National Chairman of KPMG( 1998 – 2001), and served as Chairman of Foster’ s Group, Lendlease, South32 and National Foods. He also held directorships at BHP Billiton and Westpac and was Vice-President and Treasurer of the Melbourne Cricket Club. David reshaped the future of Australian sport, chairing major reviews of the AFL, Football Federation Australia, and Cricket Australia
— laying the groundwork for modern governance and professionalism in these codes. His leadership also extended to the arts as Chairman of The Australian Ballet( 2002 – 08), and to the community through the Kindilan Society( now Focus), a disability service provider and home to his son James.
On 25 November 1968 David married Maureen Lois Couzens at Scotch. They raised three children— Andrew( SC 1982 – 89, OSCA President 2018), James and Anna— building a family that reflects their values of service, humility and community. David was a proud and engaged grandfather to his grandchildren, including the fourth generation of his family at Scotch: Wilson( Year 12), May and Gilbert( Year 8) Crawford and Amelia and Angus McCallum( Year 10).
David was a mentor, a generous contributor and a deeply principled man. His work— whether in the boardroom, the community or his beloved Scotch— was always marked by clarity, humility and unwavering commitment to the greater good. He held a profound love for Scotch— which he credited with shaping his character, values and lifelong friendships— and he was immensely proud and grateful to be part of its enduring story.
David died on 5 December 2024.
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