Tributes flow for Phillip Island couple killed in Devon Meadows crash

A much-loved Phillip Island couple have been remembered for their generosity after they were tragically killed in a crash at Devon Meadows.

David and Denise have been remembered as beautiful souls. Picture: Supplied

A passionate golfer, cancer survivor and an avid supporter of the mighty Bombers.

An eager croquet player, a loving friend and dedicated midwife for 30 years.

These are the words that best describe David and Denise Mitchell.

The Phillip Island couple had been married for 62 years before they were tragically killed in a crash in Devon Meadows on September 17.

David, 85, and Denise, 84, were returning home from David’s monthly treatment to stop his cancer from returning.

Survived by three children and seven grandkids, the couple ran a motel in Swan Hill before moving to the island 27 years ago.

Molly Gotham said her grandparents, also known as Deese/DC and Dave, were kind, generous, loving and down to Earth people.

“Their love for each other was something that I most aspire to,” she said.

“They cared so deeply for each other and it showed constantly in the small things they would do, in their body language and the way they spoke of each other.”

The couple on their wedding day. Picture: Supplied

David and Denise dancing in their youth. Picture: Supplied

Ms Gotham said she spent her summer holidays in Phillip Island with her grandparents and other cousins.

“Those summers have become the most magical childhood memories,” she said.

“Often there were more of us than there were beds so we would camp out in the backyard. “They loved having their grandkids with them and would take us to the beach, carnivals, water slides, fireworks or would just sit with us and watch movies on a rainy day.”

In recent years, the family enjoyed trips together traipsing around Great Barrier Island, backpacking through Europe, celebrating their 80th birthdays in Byron Bay and camping at the Murray River.

“From our childhood memories to our adult memories the one thing that never changed was that they were the heart and soul of our Christmas,” she said.

“It was pure joy seeing them walk in [to the house] and that’s when it truly felt like Christmas.”

Ms Gotham said her grandparents welcomed everyone into their lives.

“You could talk to them for hours effortlessly,” she said.

“They had a great sense of humour and were so much fun to hang out with.”

David and Denise (middle) with their family. Picture: Supplied

Ms Gotham said David was diagnosed with terminal cancer in his lungs and liver last year.

“He was told that he wouldn’t make it to Christmas but he absolutely proved them wrong because by Christmas he was in remission,” she said.

“He was extremely passionate about golf so one of his biggest motivations was to get back on the golf course and he achieved that.

“He was our tenacious fighter.”

Grandchild Rebecca Hatfield said Denise loved croquet and mahjong.

“She would tell us the best stories and we loved them even if we’d heard them 10 times already,” she said.

Grandchild Annie Hatfield said the pair loved camping.

“Dave was nicknamed the ‘pyromaniac’ because he used to build gigantic fires,” she said.

“He loved using his chainsaw to cut the biggest pieces of fire wood and we would take bets on how long it would take to burn.”

Ms Hatfield said her grandma preferred the glamorous side of camping.

“She enjoyed clay mud facials with head massages included,” Ms Hatfield said.

“Many stories were shared around the campfire at night and we learned so much about our naughty grandparents and their incredible lives.”

Friends said David and Denise were a beautiful people. Picture: Supplied

The couple were madly in love. Picture: Supplied

Phillip Island Golf Club accounts and administration manager Lesley Meadowcroft said the community was devastated by the loss.

“David and Denise were much loved and admired members of the Phillip Island Golf Club,” she said.

“Their love for our club was shown in the way they supported it in so many ways over the years and the countless friendships that were formed.”

Ms Meadowcroft said Denise was a past lady captain of the club as well as the South Gippsland Ladies Association and Country team manager for a couple of years.

She said David was a member of the course volunteer group called the ‘Monday Boys’.

“David was a great golfer and was a past club champion,” she said.

“When he was 80 he hit a gross score of 80 — fantastic golf.

“He only recently returned to golf after a period of time fighting cancer and was so happy to be back in the fold.”

Ms Meadowcroft said the couple always talked about their family and the holidays they shared.

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