MITTON, David Wallis (1971-2022)
Son of Mike and Pam Mitton, David was enrolled at The Geelong College from 1983, beginning in Year 7. He embraced school sports and was a member of several teams, including the 1st XVIII football team and 1st VIII rowing crew. He received Rowing School Colours and McArthur House Colours for Athletics, Cross-Country, Swimming, Football and Rowing, as well as Junior and General colours.
David was also creative and in Year 12 won the Graphic Communication Prize and the School Art Prize. Sports and art collided, as L. Angwin writes in the 1988 Pegasus Art Report, “Many innovative ideas have surfaced this year, beginning with David Mitton imagining himself as Dean Woods, specialising in capturing cyclists on canvas for his core. He later put himself into Pat Cash's shoes, with a spectacular view of the National Tennis Centre for his option.”
Following school, David studied Fine Art at Ballarat University. After graduating he worked at various surf wear companies as a designer. He exhibited at the Tidal Wave Exhibition (Beach Culture Art) in 1993. By 1996 he was running a Graphic Design business, Damit Ink. That same year he married Peta Robertson and they have two children.
In 1997 David and Peta moved to Marundah in Western Australia bought into Mandurah Graphics. He sold the business in 2001 and formed a print company with two other directors, eCPRINT. It grew to be one of the largest printers in the Perth southern metropolitan area.
Throughout his life, David continued his sporting pursuits. After school he played football for the Geelong Amateurs. He then swapped to water polo, playing for Newtown, and won two premierships. He also played for Nunawading in the state league for a year, making to grand final. In WA, David continued to play in a water polo, playing for the Peel Piranhas for many years.
David also continued rowing. After school he started rowing surfboats in Lorne and Torquay with other former classmates. At Torquay he competed and won several state medals. In 1993 he made the Victorian state team. This resumed in WA where he joined a young developing club at Secret Harbour Surf Lifesaving Club. He won a state title with a crew in his first year there.
The family returned to Geelong and David became Senior Graphic Designer at Butter Design and Branding. His two children also attended The Geelong College.
David passed away 20 August 2022, aged 51 years.
Sources: Geelong Advertiser 27 August 2022, Pegasus, Ad Astra, OGC 1988.