Warrick McDonald
President Bentleigh RSL, President Cheltenham RSL, Senior Consultant in the SCUBA Diving Industry
Warrick started diving in 1961 on a borrowed Dutch Navy twin set. He became 'hooked' and joined the Navy as a Clearance Diver. After discharge, he started at 'Airdive Equipment' in 1966 who became Australias largest SCUBA Equipment wholesaler/manufacturer for many years.
The lure of abalone diving attracted him to NSW and after he has saved enough to buy a house, Warrick returned to Melbourne and established 'Melbourne Marine', Victorias largest SCUBA retailer. Wanting to prove he could do it myself, he opened 'Warrick's Dive Centre' in 1979, which became 'Ocean Divers' with 5 outlets and a charter boat at one stage.
Now retired from the diving industry, Warrick looks back at the 10 years as National Director of the Cave Divers Association of Australia (CDAA), eight years as President of Dive Australia (then the peak industry body) and six years as President of Dive Victoria Association (DIVA) and wonders where he got the time and energy!
Currently Warrick is President of the largest RSL Club in Victoria with two campuses, overseeing 120 employees. He spends his time volunteering to help veterans and their families, and campaigning for a better deal for veterans.
As a PADI Course Director, Warrick qualified many new Instructors, plus as a CDAA Examiner and Life Member, a lot of his time was spent in caves in Australia and overseas. A passion he still has today. In 2010, Warrick insists Pete Mesley corrupted him, setting him on a learning curve with rebreathers. He says he is still learning!
