Vale David Weil OAM

Last week we learned of the passing of Mr David Weil OAM, past Huntingtower student, Board member for over 30 years, and dedicated friend to many in our community. We will be holding a memorial service on Sunday, 5 December at 2pm in the PAC, followed by a light afternoon tea. The memorial will also be streamed. This invitation is extended to our whole School community and details can be found further in this Bulletin. 

Message from Peter Thompson, President of the Huntingtower School Association

It is with deep sadness that I’m letting the Huntingtower community know about the passing of my long time friend and Huntingtower Board colleague, David Weil.  It is a shock to us all.  David will always be remembered and appreciated for the 30 plus years serving the School.  The God given qualities he expressed in such abundance will always be with us and I know that David’s legacy will last forever.

I have known David since 1973, the year David started at Huntingtower in Form 1.  I was one year ahead in Form 2.  Being such a small school, all students were involved in all activities; be it sport, drama, music or morning committee work that kept the school clean and tidy.  David was involved in everything and pushed himself to achieve his goals to benefit his House and school.  At school, David embodied the Huntingtower values of love, kindness and integrity, leading him to be School Captain in 1978.  This love, kindness and support for friends, colleagues and the general community has been a key tenet of David’s life, no doubt a product of his lifelong dedication to the practice of Christian Science. 

My first connection with David in a meaningful sense was through drama.  From his stage debut in the chorus of the 1973 production of “Iolanthe” to the most recent 2017 HOSA production of “On The Wallaby”, David has made me laugh.  None more so than in our first production together in “Charley’s Aunt” in 1976. David played the part of Charley who had to dress up as a matronly Aunt. I played Jack.  David was hilarious. Perfect for the part.  I have no doubt that it is from this production that I can trace back David’s penchant for using any excuse to don a flamboyant costume.

In the 2019 honours list, David received an OAM in recognition of years of community work. We all know and appreciate the work David performed in his role as Chair of the Huntingtower School Board from 2014 to 2020.  David has been on the Board since 1988, dedicating over 30 years of service to Huntingtower.  In recognition of his valuable contribution to Huntingtower, David was asked, in 2017, by the Independent Schools Victoria Board to put himself up for election for the ISV Board and was duly elected.

Through his love of all things theatrical, David developed a relationship with the Rayner sisters who were well known as professional performers for children (Rayner House is named after them).   I recall vividly after performances, the sisters would come down to the “Prop-Box” to extend their congratulations.  This relationship led to David establishing the Australian Children’s Theatre Foundation in 1991 of which he is still a trustee.  Recently, David launched a book he wrote called “The Strolling Players Live on – The Life of Joan and Betty Rayner” to much acclaim.

Not only do David and I share the same Secondary School, we both went to Monash University.  I studied Economics and David studied for a Law degree.  During this time, David developed a love for South East Asia, and in particular, Malaysia.  He was an integral member of the Malaysian Law Students Association from 1981 to 1984.  This paved the way for David to join the Melbourne Council for Overseas Students in 1982, serving as President from 1989 to 1991, followed by the Australian-Asian Association of Victoria where he was President from 2007 to 2009 and remained on the Committee for nearly 30 years.

Other community service roles include acting as Trustee for the Sir Edward Dunlop International Students Emergency Fund and foundation member of Landcare Foundation in 1995 and a member of the Management Committee Landcare Victoria from 2001 to 2004. Throughout his life, David has devoted hours and hours every week to Church work and many charitable organisations. His sense of giving knew no bounds. In between his commitment to his charitable work, David actually practiced law.  How he fitted work in with all he did, is beyond me. 

There is much more to David, however, than this list of public achievements.  What defines David for me is knowing how much time he put into supporting individuals who need help, love and care.  David recently spent much time supporting an old HT student, 2 years above him who had fallen on hard times.  He spent many years helping and supporting the parents of one of my classmates who was living overseas with weekly visits and attending to all their needs. These are just two examples of the countless quiet, selfless acts of love that David has made time for. 

A key part of knowing David was to know his parents.  Mr and Mrs Weil were very proud of all David’s achievements and supported him in all he did, not just in thought, but in presence.  They were both avid supporters of Huntingtower and attended many activities.  At all the school and HOSA productions, Mr Weil was there with his video camera, recording our shows.  Knowing Mr and Mrs Weil for 45 years, until their recent passing in 2018, I can see what a wonderful model of humility and compassion they provided David which has stood him in good stead all his life.

David’s achievements and time spent helping people would not have been possible without the love and support of his wife, Martha.  Martha has been David’s “rock” for over 23 years.  It is the constancy of Martha’s love, patience and acceptance of David’s innate desire to serve that has enabled David to take the time to do all that he does.

I am proud and grateful that I can let David’s community know the extent of David’s selfless contribution, in particular, the unsung good deeds David has done for many, many people, myself included.  For 49 years, I have known, admired and loved my friend David.  I have no doubt that David will live on with me and with us all, forever.  David, may you continue your journey.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.  Revelation 21:4

Memorial broadcast link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87352013889?pwd=eXFsZ2w3bllneGYrOEpET3VWQ1k2Zz09

Passcode: 300269

Or One tap mobile : 

    Australia: +61370182005,,87352013889#,,,,*300269#  or +61731853730,,87352013889#,,,,*300269# 

Or Telephone:

    Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

        Australia: +61 3 7018 2005  or +61 7 3185 3730  or +61 8 6119 3900  or +61 8 7150 1149  or +61 2 8015 6011 

Webinar ID: 873 5201 3889

Passcode: 300269

    International numbers available: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kceRUjep2O 

Peter Thompson

Huntingtower President

Andrew Houghton

Principal