David Hough OAM (54-57)

Dr David Hough attended Wesley College in the 1950s. Following his schooldays, he attended The University of Western Australia where he obtained his BA, MBA, and finally his PhD. He then attended the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the United Kingdom, where he completed a Bachelor of Philosophy, before obtaining professional qualifications in speech and dramatic art from the Trinity College of Music in London.

Known as a leading light of the arts in Australia, David had a long and diverse career as a historian, theatre critic, performer, teacher, academic and writer.

In January 1979, David was selected to coordinate the establishment of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). Over the course of this two-year project, he played an integral role in establishing the prestigious and nationally recognised Academy.

As a speech and drama lecturer, he was tasked with setting up the institution and establishing the first courses. David believed WA performers stood out in the industry due to their unique initiative and spark. WAAPA graduates continue to make their mark the world over as stage managers, actors, lighting technicians and designers, thanks in part to David’s work in this field.

David taught Public Relations and Advertising at Edith Cowan University (ECU). From 1993–1999 he was Director of International & Commercial programs for ECU’s Business Faculty. David was also involved in establishing the ECU Art Collection at WAAPA.

David enjoyed a 20-year career as a dance and theatre critic for Dance Australia, The Bulletin, and The Australian Financial Review.

He penned non-fiction novels including a centennial history of His Majesty’s Theatre, A Dream of Passion, and best-selling Boans for Service, a history of Boans Department Store. The former was short-listed for the WA Premier’s history prize. David also co-authored a History of the WA Music Teachers’ Association, What Harmony is This? published in 2010.

His own publications include The Chameleon’s Dish, a collection of essays on business and the arts that first appeared in the Australian Financial Review, and A Man of his Time: The Public Life of Robert Mitford Rowell, his final book released.

In 2017, he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the performing arts as a journalist and author.

PICTURED: Dr David Hough and his book, Boans for Service © The West Australian.