The Australian Ballet’s David McAllister honoured with prestigious award

The legendary dancer received the surprise recognition while hundreds of his friends, colleagues and relatives watched on.

David McAllister with longtime dance partner Liz Toohey. Picture: Chris Pavlich

The man who turned The Australian Ballet into one of the country’s biggest art institutions has been honoured after two decades as the company’s artistic director.

David McAllister on Wednesday was awarded the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award, the highest honour from the Royal Academy of Dance, for his 40-year contribution to The Australian Ballet.

Hosted by his former dance partner Elizabeth Toohey, McAllister was surprised at a lunch held at Doltone House at Sydney’s Jones Bay Wharf organised by the Friends of The Australian Ballet to celebrate his life as one of the country’s most legendary dancers.

“This award has been given to such extraordinary people, and to join them is mind-blowing,” McAllister said.

“You don’t expect to receive such an award or recognition when you are lucky enough to do a job you love, with such incredibly talented people. I am incredibly touched and moved.”

His father, Don, sister Diane Morris and partner Wesley Enoch were among the 500 guests ­commemorating the Perth-born dancer’s illustrious career.

Appearing via video link from London, longtime friend British prima ballerina Darcey Bussell addressed her former colleague, speaking of his “sense of humour, warmth and honesty” which, combined with his “drive and talent”, was the source of his success.

“The RAD believes that David McAllister’s contribution to the international world of ballet is outstanding and that he is most definitely worthy of this prestigious award,” she said.

“His brave decision to step down and leave the company he loved triggered tears from his colleagues, teachers and dancers as they said goodbye to their leader in the worst of times.

“Instead of a glorious farewell to celebrate his years at the company, 2020 became a year of lockdowns. Today, however, we can celebrate David and his legacy knowing that his connection with ballet will continue.”

McAllister’s fascination with classical dance as a seven-year-old grew into a devotion that propelled him through the ranks to secure a spot at The Australian Ballet in 1983. He later became the company’s principal artist, dancing in productions of Romeo and Juliet, La Fille mal gardee and The Sleeping Beauty.

As his stage presence grew, McAllister was invited to be a guest artist with the Bolshoi Ballet, the Kirov Ballet and the Georgian State Ballet along with The National Ballet of Canada, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Singapore Dance Theatre.

In 1992 he danced in a Royal Gala performance of Coppelia as Princess Diana watched on.

“It has been a huge privilege to be part of The Australian Ballet for these past almost four decades and I owe you all such heartfelt gratitude for being with me along that journey,” McAllister said.