David Page was a shining Indigenous star and celebrity, an accomplished and award-winning performer, composer, musician and singer.
We offer our condolences to Stephen Page, the Page family, the staff of Bangarra Dance Theatre, David’s friends and associates.
Channel Manager Tanya Orman said: “David’s creative talents and repertoire of works through the decades are woven into NITV's tapestry. As we come to terms with his loss, it is hard to imagine the arts landscape and our Indigenous community without David and we mourn with them. Many present and former NITV staff admired all that he achieved and we are forever grateful for what he gave and made possible for us. For this we give thanks and our deep condolences to his family.”
At the age of 55, David Page was the eldest of the Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Page clan, who as young brothers imagined and built their renowned artistic legacy for all Australians to better understand and educate the whole world about Indigenous Australians.
David was proficient in saxophone, voice, composition and song having studied at the Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music (CASM at the University of Adelaide).
His works included creating the music for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies, the Sydney Olympic Arts Festival, the majority of over 27 soundtracks for the productions of Bangarra Dance Theatre - from its beginnings with 'Praying Mantis Dreaming' to its most recent work 'Our Land People Stories', and his own story 'Page 8' about his early years being Australia’s answer to Michael Jackson through American label Atlantic records having had two hits on Australian music show Countdown. He also composed for the Australian Ballet including 'Alchemy', 'Warumuk' – in the 'Dark Night' and 'Amalgamate'.
David received many awards for his passionate and dedicated compositions. They included four Deadly Awards, two Helpmann Awards, the 2006 Green Room Award, and the Sidney Myer Foundation inaugural Indigenous artists award,
As an actor David performed recently in Wesley Enoch’s 'Yibiyung, Mother Courage & Her Children', for the Queensland Theatre Company, and the lauded Sydney Festival production 'Black Diggers' at the Sydney Opera House.
David was a free spirit who was generous of spirit, time and energy, ready to help, listen, collaborate or share a meal. He was a storyteller with a great sense of humour and always ready for a laugh.
David made a myriad of film and television compositions most recently for the film 'Spear' by Stephen Page. He also created the music for NITV’s Living Black program. In 2013 David and Stephen joined NITV’s Karla Grant for an in-depth conversation.
"I'll miss David both personally and professionally. I'll always remember his great sense of humour, his warmth and his generous nature. Professionally, David was a musical genius. My heart goes out to Stephen, the Page family and David's extended family at Bangarra." said host Karla.
Forever will his ethereal musicalities be etched within our minds and spirits.
May he be at peace forever in the Dreamtime.
This dedication has been approved by the Page family. NITV has followed the advice and protocols requested by the family in the reporting of the story. The image has been withheld at their request.
