Julie and David (Wedding)
David Crossman (Springwood) is a well-known and highly successful businessman in the Nepean District. He is also a founding member of #The Great Walk Foundation, a local fund-raising endeavour which is now in its 17th year.
The Crossman family has a strong history in the Nepean district and David has lived a life worthy of that lineage, as a family man, a businessman and a philanthropist.
David’s great-grandfather moved to Penrith to work and live in 1879 and the Crossman lineage in the district is unbroken from that time, although it has been located in several different areas of the Nepean district over the ensuing years.
David’s grandfather Jack lived his life in Penrith / Wallacia and the Crossmans were a prominent family in both hospitality (Westbourne) and in the building industry. Jack and his wife Jane (nee Sales) gave generously to the Wallacia community and there is a reserve named after them in the town (Crossman Reserve).
David has lived in the Nepean/Blue Mountains district his whole life, born in Nepean Hospital, lived with his family (parents John and Elaine and 3 siblings) in Wallacia, and attended Wallacia PS and Nepean HS.
As with his father John, David has a common interest with all things mechanical. John Crossman was a motor mechanic and established Crossman’s Garage in Wallacia.
“David is passionate about most things associated with sport,” said his brother Ken. “He (David) became a committed South Sydney Rabbitohs fan in the mid-1960’s and bleeds Cardinal and Myrtle.
“This was prior to the Penrith Panthers moving into the First Division competition in 1967 and he is also a long-time supporter of the Panthers players and Club.
“He (David) also participated in a triathlon, acting as the guide for local hero and blind competitor Ched Towns. My memory says a documentary was filmed for this event.”
David and Julie were married in January 1978 and settled in the Blue Mountains. They have two children, Matthew and Megan, and three grandchildren. “David’s family has always been the centre of his life,” said Ken.
Best friend and business partner Jack Cowan said “I have known David since high school and we became good mates. He moved into my mother’s place at Emu Plains when his parents moved to Taree.
“David undertook his mechanical apprenticeship with Ron Barrett Motors and worked on NRMA Roadside as well. After that, he worked as a car salesman, then owned a roof tile truck, car hire, then was Service Manager until we bought Central Motors ( Penrith Mitsubishi ).
“David and I worked together at home, after hours, doing mechanical work, and in 1990 we bought into Central Motors, which we co-owned for 12 years.
“We bought a motel at Faulconbridge, which David completely renovated, and nowadays, he is a broker.
“David always helps people in need. He is a great person to know and have a drink with and can tell you a story or two!
“David also played Rugby League for Cabramatta in both 1st and 2nd grade, winning premierships, and also played Pennant Golf for Springwood Golf Club.”
#The Great Walk Foundation has donated around $1.5m to charities through its ‘Community Charity,’ over a 17-year period. Its members are: Tony Bowden, Cameron McInnes, Greg Nelson, Jonathan Green, Graham O’Kell, Rob Wearn, Mark Mulock and David Crossman.
Photos provided by family
David Crossman was nominated as a Legend of the Nepean by Larry Davis.
If you know a local legend, send us a nomination at nepeannews@aol.com
