David Mathew

What wasn’t there to like and respect about Dave Mathew? As a very green journalist fresh from the provinces Dave was one of those pillars of the World Desk who you instinctively turned to for advice, always offered, patiently and with a gentle authority that made you want to get it right. I was always amazed at his depth of knowledge of the arcane system of filing and priorities (a clear out at home recently turned up some yellow, mauve and red tickets full of codes!!).

If ever there was a gentle giant, he was it. Unfailingly friendly, a greeting in the pub was always “Hello, big, what are you drinking?”

I don’t know what they put in journalists’ drinks in Australia, but Dave had it in spades. It was indeed to have worked with such a guy. ■