Although he died at age 39 in 2003, his presence on the streets of Ballarat, boombox in hand, sharing his musical taste with those who sought it (and sometimes those who didn’t) is a persistent and fond memory for many people. He was a fixture in many Sturt Street cafes and record shops, asking for a cigarette or a coffee, or delivering mixed tapes he had made himself to friends or acquaintances. His passion for contemporary music was strong, and influential for many who gave him the time to speak to them.

One person who took it upon himself to seek what Radio Dave’s real story involved was Graham Stables.

In 1995 Graham interviewed Dave on the (long gone) seats flanking the Burke and Wills memorial at the intersection of Lydiard and Sturt streets. The interview was wide-ranging and covers Dave’s memories of his childhood, his musical taste, his aspirations and what his daily life was like in Ballarat – including regular bashings by gangs of youths.

In recent years and with the aid of digital technology, Graham has remastered the original video, Radio Dave – The Power of Love, he made with Radio Dave, and has found other tapes of material he recorded with the emergent video processes of the era.

Graham Stables was in Ballarat and spoke to The Courier about his memories of Radio Dave and of the band scene in Ballarat in the 80s and 90s.

“He was a well-known character in Ballarat, well-known for carrying his ghettoblaster around. He’d always be playing a cassette tape of some kind of music, usually punk music. Although he would sometimes surprise you and play more mainstream music, Frankie Goes To Hollywood.

“I knew the other side of Dave: he was intelligent, he had a lot of interesting views on life. It really bowled me over.”

WATCH THE FULL DOCUMENTARY HERE