Swansong.

David McAllister was only six years old when he began taking ballet classes in his hometown of Perth, the only boy in a roomful of 30 pink leotards. Little did he know then his future career as a principal artist with the Australian Ballet would take him from New York to Paris and Shanghai. Life took a sharp turn in 2001 when he became the youngest person to be appointed artistic director of the company, at 37. Over the next two decades the popular director would prove a responsive, collaborative leader, whose risky commissioning of a new Swan Lake by choreographer Graeme Murphy became the company’s international calling card, while building a loyal family of 77 talented, multicultural dancers reflective of contemporary Australia. Here he shares his insights into the host of leading ladies who have played key roles in his life both on and off the stage, from his late, beloved mother Olive to sharing dessert with Princess Diana.

Mum always said I was the most active baby in utero and used to do grands battements and kick her in the ribs all the time! I was always under her feet, running around saying ‘look at me’, and pestered her until she sent me to ballet class to shut me up. She was always really supportive and was the person I turned to, especially at school when things got rocky around bullying; she always gave me unconditional love.

I was the third of five children and the first to leave home. I think that really affected her. She came to Melbourne a few times, but in those days it was really