Durrheim awarded Freeman of the City

Published on 22 May 2024

Public health crusader Dr David Durrheim has been made a Freeman of Lake Macquarie City for his outstanding contribution to public health and his unwavering dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser presented the honour at a formal ceremony on Tuesday evening, with Dr Durrheim’s family, friends and colleagues watching on.

Dr Durrheim, who has served as the Director of Health Protection with Hunter New England Health since 2004, became a household name during the pandemic as the Public Health Controller for the district's COVID-19 response.

"His ability to convey complex scientific and medical information in an understandable way kept residents well-informed and calm during an unprecedented time of fear and uncertainty," Cr Fraser said.

"Lake Macquarie is fortunate to have such a capable and committed leader. We're honoured to bestow the Freedom of the City upon Dr Durrheim – a worthy celebration and recognition of his immense and ongoing contributions to our community."

The Freeman of the City honour recognises individuals for their outstanding achievements and dedicated services to the community over their lifetime.

Just nine other people have been handed the title in the past 40 years, with performing arts advocate Mercia Buck the most recent previous recipient, in 2021.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser's speech at the Ceremony to Invest Dr David Durrheim AM as a Freeman of the City

"The recent recognition by the Council of Dr David Durrheim AM as a Freeman of the City was special in many ways. This is the highest honour that a City can bestow on any citizen. While there is no legislation governing the granting of such honour, there is an historical precedent to recognise persons of distinction who have rendered eminent services or been a worthy ambassador of the City. 

Doctor David Durrheim AM was appointed to the role of Director of Health Protection with Hunter New England Health in 2004, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, he took on an immense workload as the Public Health Controller for the district’s COVID-19 response.

Residents who watch local news or listen to local radio will instantly recognise David’s distinctive South African accent from his regular appearances delivering COVID-19 updates on local statistics, community protection measures and the health system response. With community fear at an all-time high, David’s calming and reassuring tone was welcomed by viewers and listeners. He was a well-respected voice of reason and expert opinion, and remains a trusted public health physician, both in the community and within the health sector. His way of presenting complex scientific and medical information in an easily understood manner, meant residents remained informed as the situation unfolded around them.

David has amassed a strong online following, with his Facebook COVID-19 videos reaching tens of thousands of viewers. David has worked tirelessly throughout his career, and continues to provide key messaging about other important public health issues such as immunisations, extreme weather conditions and mosquito-borne and other infectious diseases.

An incredibly driven individual, David has gone beyond the call of duty during health emergencies to avail himself for daily television, print media and radio interviews, between back-to-back meetings with various officials, health teams and the Ministry of Health. To say his schedule is hectic is an understatement! Fortunately, his family are incredibly supportive of his long hours and his drive and determination to prevent the risk of harm to the community. Teamed with compassion and understanding atop his health and management skills and expertise, David is a natural leader and spokesperson. As Lake Macquarie residents, we have been very fortunate to have such a capable and committed leader at the helm.

David is an incredible scientist and researcher with an exceptional track record as a leader in the field of public health medicine. He began his career in South Africa, where he coordinated a successful disease control program. Upon his arrival in Australia in 2002, he was appointed to a position with the World Health Organisation (WHO) focusing on disease prevention through mosquito control and vaccination programs. Throughout his career he has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to infectious disease control, as evident in his current role.

His immense and ongoing contribution to the community was recognised in 2021 when he was bestowed with the honour of a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours role, for his significant service to public health medicine, and to international health. 

More recently David was recognised as Lake Macquarie’s Ambassador for 2022.  He served professionally as a passionate and dedicated spokesperson and champion of our City.

Selected current roles – David Durrheim

Global:

• World Health Organisation - chair of the Measles and rubella elimination commission for the Western Pacific Region
• International health regulations expert group to the WHO Director General (David gets called on to, when necessary, respond to emerging risks on infectious diseases)
• SAGE (strategic advisory group of experts) Ebola vaccine working group (he's been serving on group for over 10 years)

National:

• Chairperson of the National Polio Certification Committee for Australia.
• Chief Investigator on large Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade grant ($7.5m), Accelerating the Development of Evidence-based Policy and Practice (ADEPPt) in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Timor Leste and Fiji

Local:

• Public Health Director of HNE
  • many expert groups in his field (e.g. forensic pathology, TB)

• Serves on State committees:
  • co-chair of NSW immunisation network 

• On the board of Hunter Heart Safe
• Advisor to the board of Macquarie Life Church
• Has mentored numerous PHD students to successful completion
• Conjoint Professor University of Newcastle with more than $20 million dollars of grants in past 10 years and more than 350 publications in peer-reviewed journals

There are no special advantages to being Freeman of the City – David still has to pay rates, registers the dog and return his library books. In past times he would have had such rights as being allowed to wear a sword down the main street without being challenged.

The honour of becoming a Freeman of the City is very prestigious and very fittingly granted to David Durrheim.

I am continually impressed by David’s outstanding efforts to support the community, particularly throughout the pandemic, and feel he is thoroughly deserving to be recognised as a Freeman of the City."