David Southwick was elected as the Member for Caulfield in the Victorian Parliament in November 2010. Since taking office David has been appointed as Chair of the Victorian Parliament’s Education and Training Committee and one of the Parliament’s inaugural representatives on the board of the Victorian Responsible Gaming Foundation (VRGF).

Since being elected David has demonstrated a strong interest in the small business sector, speaking regularly on government initiatives to help businesses get ahead through innovation and less regulation.

David worked his way through university and after studying established a number of businesses including being the founder and managing director of The Body Collection. In this business he employed 50 staff and had a local manufacturing base in Moorabbin. David has also been the director or managing director of The Market Stars Group, ICE Events Pty Ltd and David James Investments Pty Ltd.

David has had a long history of involvement in the charitable sector. He is a former President of the Ardoch Youth Foundation, former Chairman of the National Training Board for Virtual Enterprise Australia and has served as Vice President of Try Youth and Community Services and Big Brother, Big Sister. In recognition of his work assisting local youth, David was made the City of Stonnington’s Citizen of the Year in 2009.

He also spent a number of years in academia, including serving as RMIT’s first Entrepreneur in Residence and as Head of the Executive Education Unit (Faculty of Business and Law) at Victoria University. In these roles David used his own business background and experience to help others get their start in business.

David completed his High School Certificate at Mount Scopus College and studied for a Bachelor of Business at Victoria University. In 1991 he was awarded an Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his service on the University Council.

David is married to Hayley and has two children, Tyler and Paige. In his spare time he enjoys keeping fit, following the St Kilda Saints and spending time with family.