The voice that once greeted readers each morning has fallen silent at 77
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He had a wit sharper than a newsroom headline and a knack for spotting the absurd in everyday life.
David Dale’s words once became part of countless Australians’ morning routine, yet his final writings came from a hospital bed.
Even as cancer took its toll, he was still reviewing the food on his ward menu—complete with scores out of ten.
David Dale, celebrated Australian journalist and long-time The Sydney Morning Herald columnist, died on 7 August aged 77 after a battle with cancer.
His career began as a cadet at the Herald in the early 1970s before he moved on to The National Times and The Sun-Herald during the height of Fairfax’s influence—now Nine Newspapers.
By 1981, he had returned to the Herald to pen Stay In Touch, a column famed for its mix of wit, quirky news, and quietly political observations from around the world.
Beyond print, Dale’s voice reached audiences through the ABC and Sydney’s 2GB, while his byline appeared in magazines and his name graced around 20 food and travel books.
He was also a fixture of Sydney’s long lunch era, where ideas were exchanged over plates and glasses in equal measure.
His tenure as editor of The Bulletin under Kerry Packer’s ACP Magazines was marked by both success and controversy.
After boosting circulation, he defied Packer’s order not to run a follow-up to his provocative list Australia’s 100 Most Appalling People—and was promptly sacked.
Later, Dale turned to academia, lecturing in journalism at the University of Technology Sydney and the University of NSW, shaping a new generation of reporters.
In his final months at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Dale kept friends and followers entertained with satirical hospital food reviews, rating everything from presentation to service.
David Dale is survived by his wife, former News Corp journalist and editor Susan Williams—whom he married in 1991—and their daughter, Millie.
The world of media and entertainment has seen the passing of many influential figures whose work left a lasting cultural imprint.
Just as David Dale’s career blended storytelling with a distinct personal voice, these individuals also shaped the way audiences connected with their craft.
Their journeys, like Dale’s, are a reminder of how talent and dedication can span decades and cross boundaries.
Read more: From Queensland to Hollywood: Celebrating two lives that shaped a generation
Farewell to a journalist who never stopped finding humour, even in life’s final chapters.
David Dale’s words once became part of countless Australians’ morning routine, yet his final writings came from a hospital bed.
Even as cancer took its toll, he was still reviewing the food on his ward menu—complete with scores out of ten.
David Dale, celebrated Australian journalist and long-time The Sydney Morning Herald columnist, died on 7 August aged 77 after a battle with cancer.
His career began as a cadet at the Herald in the early 1970s before he moved on to The National Times and The Sun-Herald during the height of Fairfax’s influence—now Nine Newspapers.
By 1981, he had returned to the Herald to pen Stay In Touch, a column famed for its mix of wit, quirky news, and quietly political observations from around the world.
Veteran columnist David Dale dies at 77. Image source: Facebook/David Dale
Beyond print, Dale’s voice reached audiences through the ABC and Sydney’s 2GB, while his byline appeared in magazines and his name graced around 20 food and travel books.
He was also a fixture of Sydney’s long lunch era, where ideas were exchanged over plates and glasses in equal measure.
His tenure as editor of The Bulletin under Kerry Packer’s ACP Magazines was marked by both success and controversy.
After boosting circulation, he defied Packer’s order not to run a follow-up to his provocative list Australia’s 100 Most Appalling People—and was promptly sacked.
Later, Dale turned to academia, lecturing in journalism at the University of Technology Sydney and the University of NSW, shaping a new generation of reporters.
In his final months at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Dale kept friends and followers entertained with satirical hospital food reviews, rating everything from presentation to service.
David Dale is survived by his wife, former News Corp journalist and editor Susan Williams—whom he married in 1991—and their daughter, Millie.
The world of media and entertainment has seen the passing of many influential figures whose work left a lasting cultural imprint.
Just as David Dale’s career blended storytelling with a distinct personal voice, these individuals also shaped the way audiences connected with their craft.
Their journeys, like Dale’s, are a reminder of how talent and dedication can span decades and cross boundaries.
Read more: From Queensland to Hollywood: Celebrating two lives that shaped a generation
Farewell to a journalist who never stopped finding humour, even in life’s final chapters.
