I also got to see David yell “Shit for brains!” at a reckless driver once. That was something pretty special.

After a few minutes one of them recognised David, and whispered to their friends, who then sat through the movie in awed silence. He just inspired respect in people. Whoever said “never met your heroes” never met mine. I will miss him. 7/7

He even lent me a scarf for a film festival once when I got sick. When I saw a middling horror movie with him at the local cinema, the only other people there were a group of initially-rowdy teenagers. 6/x

David paid for my classes when I couldn’t afford them. He invited me to his home and showed me films there, inspiring me to permanently switch my home TV for a projector as I realised I never wanted to watch a movie any other way. Mine doesn’t have automated curtains, though! 5/x

It was one the the great joys of my life hearing firsthand at great length about David’s fight with the censors as head of SFF. He was instrumental in having an adult rating for films introduced to Australia. His books document this better than I can. 4/x

He encouraged my exploration of cinema and never talked down to me for inexperience or ignorance. I started watching about two movies a day during this period, trying to catch up with him, and delving deeper and deeper into cinema history since I had someone so knowledgeable to discuss them with.

It was a joy and a privilege to get the chance to talk with my childhood hero for two hours every week as we drove home from class. He was never anything but caring and friendly, and completely down to earth. 2/x