David Balderstone 2010

Born in Melbourne, David Balderstone worked as a journalist on The Age (Melbourne), The Times (London), and The Bulletin as well as Radio Australia. He became fascinated with the Middle East after freelancing in Cairo for London newspapers in 1970-71. He arrived in Cairo just weeks before the death of President Nasser, and was in the city again when President Sadat was assassinated in 1981. During his time in Cairo he also covered the situation in Sudan.

Juba, South Sudan 1970

David Balderstone was The Age’s Middle East correspondent from 1977 to 1983. During that time he travelled widely around the Arab world and Iran from a base in Amman, Jordan, and was a frequent visitor to Israel. He covered the fall of the Shah of Iran, the Iran/Iraq war from both front lines, the Civil War in Lebanon, and Middle East peace moves (including the 1977 visit to Jerusalem of President Sadat of Egypt) and setbacks. This period in the Middle East included a rare interview with Ali Khameneh, who took over as spiritual leader of Iran after the death of Ayatollah Khomeini. He interviewed other important Middle East leaders during this time, including Yasser Arafat. He continued to visit the area regularly until his death in 2013.

Mena House Press Centre: Sadat – Begin talks, Christmas 1977

In Australia David also worked for Australian Business magazine, providing cover interviews with several prominent business leaders. He freelanced for various other publications and for a short time worked in Public Relations before becoming a reporter and producer at Radio Australia. The latter appointment included a five month assignment in the Philippines in 1990 for Radio Australia and ABC News and Current Affairs, during which time he interviewed Cardinal Sin and President Fidel Ramos.

He subsequently contributed programs on the Gulf War and freelanced for The Observer, London.

Radio Australia 1989

In 1998 his play Dead Reckoning, highlighting the plight of the boat people and making use of his experiences in the Philippines was given a professionally directed and acted reading in Melbourne and nominated for the prestigious Wal Cherry Award.