Brendan Simpkins

TRIBUTES have flowed for former Gawler Council infrastructure and environmental services manager David Diprose, who died following a crash on the South Eastern Freeway. He was 53.

At 5pm on Thursday, April 29, emergency services responded to reports of a crash involving two cars and a motorcycle on the freeway between Stirling and Bridgewater.

A Toyota four-wheel-drive travelling outbound crashed into a Subaru station wagon and Mr Diprose, who was riding the motorcycle. He died at the scene.

Mr Diprose joined Gawler Council in September 1995 as operations engineer after spending six years with the former Munno Para Council.

He was responsible for the town’s public works, including parks, gardens and reserves and cemetery operations, and stayed in that role for two years before moving into the role of town engineer.

During his time with council, Mr Diprose was involved in a number of key projects including the development of Willaston Cemetery, ford reconstruction at Dead Man’s Pass and the development of Woolworths and the Finniss Street carpark complex.

Mr Diprose left Gawler in 2004 to take up a role with NAWMA, where he oversaw the development of the Uleybury Landfill.

Member for Light Tony Piccolo, who was Gawler’s mayor when Mr Diprose worked at council, paid tribute, saying he would be “dearly missed”.

“David was a very competent engineer and had a very good manner with people,” he said.

“He was thorough with his work and always tried to find the best solution to engineering issues. He worked very long hours and was committed to the town and its people.

“While he took his job seriously, he didn’t take himself too seriously and that made it easy for him to engage with staff, elected members and the community generally.

“He was certainly an asset to Gawler. He will be dearly missed by those who knew him. I wish to send my sincere condolences to his entire family. Taken much too soon.”

Mayor Karen Redman has written a tribute in this week’s letters page and also took to Facebook to extend her condolences to Mr Diprose’s family.

“Sad news of the death of David Diprose, previously Town Engineer at Council,” she wrote.

“I didn’t know David but many people did. He was greatly admired, worked hard for our town, delivering many town projects and will be sadly missed. My condolences to his family and friends.”

The drivers of the Toyota and Subaru sustained minor injuries in the crash and were taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for treatment.

Mr Diprose is the 39th life lost on South Australian roads this year, and the ninth motorcycle fatality.