National Manager - Dave Witham

Meet David (Dave) Witham

David (Dave) Witham joined Worldview Foundation in October 2025 as National Manager, bringing both lived expertise of the justice system and more than 20 years of professional experience working with disadvantaged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people involved in the criminal justice system.

Dave began his public service career as an operational police officer in Central Australia, before spending 14 years with the ACT Government’s Justice and Community Safety Directorate in a range of roles. This experience has given him a deep understanding of the challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experiencing disadvantage, as well as a clear view of what meaningful, sustainable solutions can look like, particularly through access to purposeful activity and economic participation.

Dave’s personal ethos “the only place success comes before work is in the dictionary” underpins his approach. He seeks to instil this mindset in every young person who comes through Worldview Foundation’s programs, while remaining mindful of the complex factors that may have contributed to their disadvantage.

In his role as National Manager, Dave is focused on staff wellbeing and on expanding Worldview Foundation’s successful program model beyond Canberra and Brisbane into Melbourne and Sydney, while maintaining the integrity of the organization’s mission to help participants realise their potential and change their life trajectory.

The most rewarding aspect of Dave’s role is being part of an organisation actively working to Close the Gap on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage. He brings a strong sense of responsibility to his work, along with a practical understanding of what it takes to turn a life around, and is committed to using his position to help create meaningful opportunities for those at risk of remaining trapped in cycles of disadvantage.