Sydney, AUSTRALIA – David Dale, a renowned Australian journalist and columnist, has passed away at the age of 77.
Dale was best known for his innovative daily column “Stay In Touch,” which significantly contributed to the Sydney Morning Herald’s rising circulation and influence during the 1980s.
Dale’s column was a unique blend of fact, fiction, satire, gossip, and humor, featuring snippets of bizarre reports from around the world and critiques of politicians in Macquarie Street and Canberra.
His distinctive style landed him a correspondent position in New York and later the editorship of Kerry Packer’s Bulletin magazine.
A graduate in psychology from the University of Sydney, Dale began his journalism career as a cadet with the Sydney Morning Herald.
He went on to work as a political reporter for The Australian and later rejoined the Herald to write “Stay In Touch” for four years.
Dale’s dedication to his contacts earned him the 1983 Walkley Award for best feature story, “The Italian Waiters Conspiracy.”
In addition to his journalism career, Dale worked as a broadcaster for ABC radio and 2GB Sydney.
After facing redundancy in the newspaper industry, he became a journalism lecturer at the University of Technology, Sydney, and the University of NSW.
Dale married News Limited journalist Susan Williams in 1991, and they had a daughter, Millie, in 1993.
Authorities have announced that a memorial service for David Dale will be held at a later date.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, where Dale received treatment before his passing.