For generations of Churchie boys, the idea of service has been something more enduring than badges, premierships or exam results. It is a way of engaging with the world. Few lives illustrate that ideal more vividly than that of Churchie Old Boy David Muir AM (1972), whose memoir The Long Reach of Service – From Longreach to Legacy traces his extraordinary journey from bush beginnings to a lifetime of public leadership.

Proudly born in Longreach, David entered Churchie in 1966 and graduated from Senior in 1972. Grounded in the values of the bush, including hard work, independence of mind and an instinctive commitment to community, those early influences were reinforced at Churchie in the 1970s, where he was part of a cohort who believed service mattered more than status. Former ABC foreign correspondent and fellow Churchie Old Boy Bruce Woolley (1973), recalls that these were young men who never gave up on their ideals. Bruce says: “David’s life and public-spirited career are an inspiration.”

A lawyer by profession, David’s engagement in public life began early. Heading Amnesty International Queensland in the 1980s while simultaneously chairing a local Liberal Party branch, is a foretaste of the principled, bipartisan approach that would define his career. From there came the co-founding of CrimeStoppers Queensland and Foodbank Queensland. The latter being alongside another fellow Churchie Old Boy to whom David attributes much of his inspiration and engagement in public life, longtime Mayor of Brisbane, the late Dr Clem Jones AO (1934).

It was however close friend Everald Compton AO who persuaded David to write this book, to explain the how and why of my engagement in public life, over the decades, to enable and hopefully inspire others to become engaged in service leadership in Australia.

The book begins with a dressing down by former PM Gough Whitlam at the 1998 Constitutional Convention. Throughout his memoir, David reflects on relationships with Governors-General, Prime Ministers, Premiers and Mayors, forged not for proximity to power, but through advocacy – for human rights, food security, medical research, civics education and democratic reform, including the Australian republic and voluntary assisted dying laws.

At a time when public debate too often descends into noise rather than nuance, David’s story is a reminder of a better tradition: thoughtful leadership, respectful disagreement and a lifelong commitment to serving something larger than oneself. It is a legacy that speaks powerfully to Old Boys of every generation.

In company with Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO, the book was officially launched by Everald Compton AO on Wednesday 6 May 2026 at Royal on the Park. The book is available for purchase now on Boolarong Press, with royalties going to Foodbank Queensland.

In coming months, further book launches will be held in Longreach, Canberra and Scotland.