DAVID WHITING – It's not all trees and fences - the things people ask!
Our Guest Speaker last week was David Whiting, a lawyer and fellow Rotarian at Rotary Keilor. Following a short run down on how and why he became a lawyer covering a wide range of disciplines and representing a variety of clients, he invited a very engaged audience to an interactive presentation.
 President Teresa Liu, David Whiting & Cheryl Pisterman |
David shared with us how he began his “second career” as a radio person really by accident. Since 1983, David has been known to Victorians for his entertaining half hour segment at 10:00 am on a Tuesday morning on ABC Melbourne providing general legal advice to the public. His segment has a dedicated audience around Melbourne and Victoria – one caller described him as "better than Google." It was obvious that there were many listeners in Rotary Glenferrie. He finds it hard to believe that people still want to hear his comments for so long. Originally, he was on air with Jon Faine (also a lawyer) and for the past 2½ years with journalist Virginia Trioli. David would not be drawn on who he preferred, despite being asked directly by a member of the audience.
David also shared some of the interesting and more challenging clients over his many years as a lawyer: one of whom Max Green had a somewhat dodgy business and came to a very messy end. And indeed the law is not all trees and fences: one of his more unusual involvements was acquiring an interest in sapphire mining through another client. He provided detailed and expert advice on the different qualities and values of this precious stone.
Throughout the presentation, there were many different questions from our members and guests – one of whom, Fabienne Nicola, President of Camberwell, booked him on the sport to speak at her club. It was a stimulating and entertaining evening. David was supported by his charming wife, Marie. Thank you both for visiting Glenferrie.