Here he is, posing with the Bounty Boat Expedition 2010 as they make landfall on his tiny island in June. Of course, Restoration Island was the first landfall made by Captain Bligh and his men after their hazardous voyage in an open long boat from Tofua, 6,500 km away, after the Mutiny on the Bounty. Bligh's journal in the Mitchell Library, Sydney, records the joy with which they discovered a safe sandy bay on its north-west coast, and the great quantities of life-restoring oysters, berries, fernroots and other edible plants.
Dave moved to Restoration Island ("Resto") in the early 90s to escape the rat-race, after being hit hard in the stock market crash in the late 80′s. His partner wasn’t so keen on the isolation so she headed back south, leaving Dave as lord, king and emperor of his own little tropical island. He’s been living on Resto ever since as a modern-day Robinson Crusoe.
Dave managed to live a relatively private life up until about 2008 when a friend suggested he put his profile on RSVP in order to find a female companion to share his island paradise with. Apparently the dating scene is not that hot when you live alone on an island in the middle of nowhere. The media got hold of the story, and Dave became something of a celebrity, with the New Yorks Times and other newspapers publishing articles on him, followed by a TV documentary.
Dave is everything you’d expect of an island castaway. In his late sixties, he has a shock of white hair and a big, white bushy beard, that would give Santa a run for his money, and his piercing blue eyes complete the Santa look. Dave rarely wears a shirt and generally makes do with a pair of the short stubbies which men (and probably women) of his generation still think are cool.
It turns out that even in the isolation of Cape York, Dave’s entrepreneurial background has come in handy. The waters around Resto are frequented by a handful of the more adventurous prawn trawlers and commercial fishermen. In exchange for fresh prawns, fish and other goods, Dave provides these fishermen with bottles of his own special home-brewed beer.
{Here] are some images of Dave on his island, taken by some WWOOFers (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) who stayed with him for a while to help him in his gardens.
Is David still on the island? I've just discovered this "For Sale" ad which lists David's lease on Restoration Island as having been sold for around $3 million.
Has he sold up and rejoined the rat-race? If so, has he taken his faithful dog Quasi with him? And has he found a female companion? If so, how much of those $3 million has he got left? I'm wearing my "Save Dave" t-shirt. Hope it helps!
P.S. Just had this email back from Dave:
Hi Pete No the island has not been sold and is not for sale. I am however looking for another partner ideally female who can replace my current partner who wishes to exit.If you know someone i would appreciate a call regards and happy xmas etc etc to you/family Dave
So there you have it! And if you're female and want to write to Dave, email me. I am on a commission!
P.P.S.
FAST FORWARD TO AUGUST 2012: read the latest news [here].
