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David Donovan is the creator and managing editor of Independent Australia.
Managing editor David Donovan
Donovan, 42, has many years experience in the media and was formerly the media director and, later, vice chair of the Australian Republican Movement.
Donovan was raised on cattle properties in Central Queensland and suffered a severe motor-bike accident on holidays from boarding school at his family’s remote cattle property at the age of 16. Though perilously close to death, he managed to ride home almost 20 kilometres on a damaged motorbike to enable his rescue by the Flying Doctor Service.
He made a full recovery and, after school, went on to study law and accountancy, later spending several years in London working in finance for several major investment banks including UBS, NatWest Global Markets, Merrill Lynch, Barclays Capital and Mizuho. Donovan also spent some time living with his wife, Belinda, in Athens, Greece. Over the years, Donovan also maintained an interest in agriculture, primarily as an owner, and sometimes manager, of one of Australia’s most successful avocado orchards – Donovan Avocados – until 2008.
Since starting Independent Australia in June 2010, he has turned it into one of Australia’s most popular independent online news and opinion websites, giving it a strong focus on investigative journalism, and breaking numerous important national stories.
David has degrees in business (accountancy) and arts (journalism), and was only a few units away from completing a law degree before dropping out in disgust after his family lost a court case natural justice dicated they always should have won. Partially as a result, he because committed to reforming Australia’s nepotistic and corrupt legal and political system. He says his greatest influence was his late father, from whom at his knee he learnt to love democracy from a very early age.
A top cricketer in his day, David played representative and district cricket in Australia and England. These days he lives in Surfers Paradise with his lovely wife, beautiful son, and adorable cat and cavoodle. In his spare time, of which he has little, he enjoys reading fantasy and science fiction novels and walking on the nearby beach. He is also an accomplished poet.
Read the journalism of David Donovan by clicking here.
David Donovan is a published poet, read some of his verse here.
Want to know more about David Donovan’s accident and survival Click here.
Read about his amazing recovery by clicking here.
Read about David’s views on organised religion here.
Read more about his incredible journey, here.
David Donovan on Google+
2 Comments
So how do we go back to the constitution and slash 80% of the redtape and self interest bureaucrat army virus-love to hear your thoughts? Like you blog!
Chris
[...] Grahame Morris inciting violence upon the Australian Prime Minister on Monday — managing editor David Donovan suggests [...]
[...] times more likely to be psychopaths than typical members of the general public. Managing editor David Donovan reports. One in every 25 CEOs is a [...]
[...] Republic in 1999 — and has now received his due reward from the Queen. Managing editor David Donovan gives the definitive [...]
[...] Australia managing editor David Donovan corrects the record regarding a highly unbalanced and unethical article published in The Australian [...]
[...] 6, 2012By Hugh Independent Australia managing editor David Donovan corrects the record regarding a highly unbalanced and unethical article published in The Australian [...]
[...] The essential reasons for an Australian Republic are obvious and important, writes managing editor David Donovan. [...]
[...] Australia turns two today. Founder, proprietor and managing editor David Donovan talks about IA’s ethos, growth and success — as well as where he sees the publication [...]
[...] IA Quintet consists of founder and managing editor, the incredibly handsome David Donovan (well, true or false, you decide!) who can string a few words and a headline and deadline together, [...]
[...] flavour, by having wattle included as the decoration surrounding the Coat of Arms. 100 years later David Donovan continues to fight the good fight of Fisher’s to create an independent [...]
[...] know alot about slavery — I used to work in investment [...]
[...] the first of a two-part Independent Australia investigation, managing editor David Donovan details the case of a talented young female doctor and her battle against the medical establishment [...]
[...] of plastic bottle pollution — and getting up the nose of Coke by doing so. Managing editor David Donovan [...]
FRIDAY THE 13TH IS A LUCKY DAY FOR THESE LOVERS.
IT’S THE 10TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY OF DAVID AND HIS BELOVED BIN.
HAVE A SUPERB EVENING.
TOUJOURS L’AMOUR.
FROM THE INDEPENDENT AUSTRALIA CREW
[...] editor David Donovan, a former investment banker, says neo-liberal free market ideology is not new and risks tearing our [...]
[...] developers and the real estate industry at the expense of ordinary Australians. Managing editor David Donovan [...]
[...] and tortuous one for Indigenous Australians. Until 1968, they were not even entitled to equal pay. David Donovan [...]
[...] Helen Tsigounis is an experienced medical doctor unable to work in Australia. Managing editor David Donovan continues the story of her lonely battle against the Australian medical and legal establishment to [...]
[...] in freefall against a rejuvenated ALP under new premier Jay Weatherill. Here, managing editor David Donovan publishes here for the first time leaked audio of Redmond being confronted over her policy decisions [...]
[...] about its potentially devastating effect upon Australia’s vulnerable marine life. Managing editor David Donovan [...]
[...] him appears weak and there is a trove of evidence that suggests a conspiracy. Managing editor David Donovan reports. Peter Slipper and James Ashby, at a Liberal Party [...]
[...] editor David Donovan reports on Tony Abbott’s “dishonest, self-interested fear campaign” about BHP’s decision to [...]
[...] new book of essays, Left Turn, has given managing editor David Donovan an opportunity to reflect on the inherent shortcomings of all political [...]
[...] media and care little about facts, may just be sending the world crazy, says managing editor David Donovan. The world’s richest woman, Gina Rinehart, with Opposition Leader Tony [...]
[...] editor David Donovan concludes the story of Dr Helen Tsigounis and her struggle against Australia’s vindictive, [...]
[...] story by David Donovan, an ex-accountant, was published on Newscorp’s The Punch website on 15 June 2010. It talks [...]
[...] Tony Abbott’s misogyny bigotry and bullying has continued to the current day. Managing editor David Donovan fills in the [...]
[...] editor David Donovan reports on a shameful display of media ethics by the Fairfax Press — and an even more disturbing [...]
[...] xenophobia and intolerance of immigrants on the rise in Australia, asks David Donovan, after receiving a racist email. “The only thing necessary for evil to flourish is for good men [...]
[...] finally got their man, with Peter Slipper being forced from the Speaker’s chair. Managing editor David Donovan outlines the alleged role of the LNP in his demise. Peter Slipper resigns from the role of Speaker [...]
[...] The mainstream media must engage with more true experts and end the conceit that journalists hold any special authority, says managing editor David Donovan. [...]
[...] revealed in documents obtained from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet by IA editor, David Donovan, after an FOI application, show the bulk of the costs were transport related ($322,209), with a [...]
[...] the wake of the U.S. election, managing editor David Donovan considers what America means to the world as well as considering the [...]
[...] time as a lawyer 20 years ago, leaving the public ever more misinformed. Managing editor David Donovan [...]
[...] editor David Donovan writes to the AEC asking for full disclosure of its investigations and dealings with Tony Abbott [...]
[...] by David Donovan published on Australia’s leading independent news website, Crikey, on May 4, 2010. It talks [...]
[...] David Donovan looks at the way the justice and political system in Australia is still rather barbaric, and suggests ways that it can be improved. [...]
[...] editor David Donovan and in-house sleuth Vince O’Grady reflect on the implications of today’s momentous [...]
[...] editor David Donovan and in-house sleuth Vince O’Grady reflect on the implications of today’s momentous judgement [...]
[...] following articles, written by IA editor David Donovan, were published in Armlet in 2007. The lavish and seldom acknowledged costs of royalty to [...]
[...] the lead up to this tour, IA editor David Donovan, as media director for the Australian Republican Movement, was inundanted with calls from foreign [...]
[...] Party marginal seat campaign in the March 20 South Australian election was a disaster, writes David Donovan. The federal Libs will need to raise their game if they hope to win the forthcoming [...]
[...] Editor David Donovan will adjudge the winner and his decision will be [...]
[...] David Donovan‘s story about this epic struggle, which was first published in Crikey on May 19. Much has [...]
[...] ‘The Drum Unleashed’ website, Mike Keating and the editor of Independent Australia, David Donovan, talked about monarchist myths about an Australian republic and, in particular, the specious [...]
[...] Party has been caught engaging in dirty tricks in the federal election campaign. Ironically, writes David Donovan, they complained about similar practices by the Labor Party in the South Australian state [...]
[...] story, by Independent Australia editor David Donovan, was published today in Crikey. The following is the text in [...]
[...] the election was a referendum on the Government then the Coalition has lost, writes David Donovan. (This story was published in The Punch on Tuesday, August 24, [...]
[...] has its own identity, there is no question of that. What it doesn’t have, writes David Donovan, while we have this link to a foreign power, is our own unambiguous Australian [...]
[...] many senior Liberal Party figures, including Tony Abbott. Denise Allen and managing editor David Donovan [...]
[...] newspaper The Guardian is setting up shop in Australia. Managing editor David Donovan takes a look at The Guardian and considers what it will mean for media in this [...]
[...] by “acts of god”, strikes IA’s storm hit Queensland-based managing editor, David Donovan, as acutely [...]
[...] run a risk of alienating Australian media consumers by over-reporting royal events in Britain. David Donovan [...]
[...] by the major political parties for their own purposes, diminishing proper representative democracy. David Donovan outlines the Australian political [...]
[...] Assange deserve better from the Australian Government? Does he have an ace up his sleeve? David Donovan takes a wide look at [...]
[...] Republican Movement Vice Chair David Donovan says an Australian Republic is about much more than about the royals and simply having an [...]
[...] to Australia in response to her invitation to the royal wedding? Is she really a monarchist? David Donovan [...]
[...] about is Julia Gillard declaring an “eight month election campaign”. Managing editor David Donovan says this is a furphy and a [...]
[...] law in arresting Craig Thomson today. And why did they need to strip search him? Managing editor David Donovan [...]
[...] law in arresting Craig Thomson today. And why did they need to strip search him? Managing editor David Donovan [...]
[...] Lewis is a Murdoch journalist who has never seen a bad Liberal Party dirt file. Managing editor David Donovan paints a picture of a sad and desperate [...]
[...] Lewis is a Murdoch journalist who has never seen a bad Liberal Party dirt file. Managing editor David Donovan paints a picture of a sad and desperate [...]
[...] I would like to encourage people to use independent media as much as possible. Independent Australia is a website that many people observe. I quote from an article by [IA managing editor] David Donovan: [...]
[...] editor David Donovan explains why the age of the one-stop newspaper is over — and not just in print, but also [...]
[...] by David Donovan [...]
[...] David Donovan, my editor, is also a good foil, suggesting lines of enquiry and relationships. Countless hours have been spent teasing out the finer details of who knows who and why they may have done something. [...]
[...] editor David Donovan says unrestrained neo-liberal free market ideology is not new and risks tearing our society apart if [...]
[...] night, Independent Australia’s David Donovan messaged me about writing about the incident and the ladies. He asked us to provide statutory [...]
[...] David Donovan (Note: a version of this article was published in the influential online journal Online Opinion [...]
[...] about how we are governed. A literal reading will simply not yield a clear picture of our system. David Donovan [...]
[...] and has only one more step to take to become fully, undeniably and unambiguously independent. David Donovan [...]
[...] Donovan is Independent Australia’s part-time sub-editor. He is no relation to managing editor David Donovan or his brother Matthew J. Donovan — who is in fact a former Liberal Party [...]
[...] Donovan is Independent Australia’s part-time sub-editor. He is no relation to managing editor David Donovan or his brother Matthew J. Donovan — who is in fact a former Liberal Party [...]
[...] editor David Donovan says this afternoon’s ALP leadership spill have Rupert Murdoch’s grubby hands all over it, and [...]
[...] by David Donovan [...]
[...] by David Donovan [...]
[...] going to have to do it ourselves. The excellent and freedom championing work of the likes of David Donovan, Vince O’Grady, Ross Jones and others is unfortunately not enough to progress and unravel [...]
[...] editor David Donovan says the NBN will transform Australia, making it more prosperous, innovative, competitive, [...]
[...] to the article featured on Independent Australia, and then later was impressed by the aims of David Donovan. However, as it transpires, no matter how well the lead article is put together, sooner than later [...]
[...] had a vicious vendetta against the Gillard Government since Kevin Rudd was toppled. Managing editor David Donovan pieces together Australia’s hidden political [...]
[...] pretend to understand economics, like Leigh Sales when interviewing Wayne Swan on ABC 7.30. David Donovan [...]
[...] pretend to understand economics, like Leigh Sales when interviewing Wayne Swan on ABC 7.30. David Donovan [...]
[...] editor, Sandi Keane, I was made to feel like one of a family, as was everyone else. Then there was David Donovan, creator and managing editor of IA – a young man by my standards, smiling at me all over his [...]
[...] As Labor ”slithers slowly and painfully out of the NSW Government departure lounge” what effect will the election result have on the state, nation and political parties? David Donovan comments. [...]