Known on the international scene as one of the toughest competitors Australia has ever produced, Dave Power took up athletics while attending Marist Brothers High School in Maitland. Power made his international début at the 1956 Olympics, where he finished seventh in the 10,000 metres. Next he competed at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, where he won gold at 6 miles and then another gold in the marathon, battling both heat and heavy traffic and occasional misdirection by officials. At the 1960 Olympics, Power finished fifth in the 5,000 m and then a week later won a bronze in the 10K. Power made his last international appearance at the 1962 Commonwealth Games, where he won silvers in the 6 miles and marathon, again running in a very hot conditions. Domestically Power won 10 Australian titles – in 1960-62 at 3 miles, in 1958-60 and 1962 at 6 miles, and in 1954-57 in cross-country. He also won 15 New South Wales titles between 1952-67 in distances between 3 miles and marathon. Outside of sports, Power worked with National Australia Bank until 1980 when he moved to Sunshine Coast, Queensland where he managed a holiday motel and worked in a real estate agency.
Personal Bests: 5000 – 13:52.38 (1960); 10000 – 28:37.64 (1960); Mar – 2-22:16 (1962).
Australia