By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
FROM working at Moe McDonald’s and KFC to meeting the Pope.
It’s hard to believe that trajectory could be achieved, but that’s exactly what former Moe and Westbury boy David Dodd did recently, shaking the hand of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV earlier this month.
Mr Dodd serves under the Australian Ambassador to the Holy See, dealing with operations to advance the country’s interests and strengthen ties with the Vatican and other faith-based organisations.
Over the course of eight years, he has met not only the newest Pope, but also the late Pope Francis and other high-end political officials, world leaders.
David’s father Leigh said his son felt it to still be “quite a surreal moment” when meeting Pope Leo, despite the people he’s already crossed paths with.
“He doesn’t usually get star struck, and in this role as he’s met many high profile individuals, but he admitted he was a bit nervous,” Leigh said.
David was even escorted by Vatican officials through the Apostolic Palace, with roads blocked off and all, to get to the Pontiff.
“David said he was incredibly kind and down to earth. I have a feeling he’ll do a lot of good in the years ahead,” Leigh said.
During the time Pope Leo was elected earlier this year, David rushed across to St. Peter’s Square with his visiting friend, American actress Erin Murphy (who played young Tabitha on the hit 1960s show Bewitched), where the white smoke appeared and the man himself stepped out onto the balcony.
David was shocked to discover the new Pope was American.
After working at Emirates Airlines for seven years and living in Dubai, Mr Dodd moved to Rome in 2011, beginning to study Italian, where he serendipitously met a future colleague that led him on his next journey.
“He applied for a position supporting the Australian Ambassador as their Residence Manager,” Leigh said.
Smash cut to now, David serves as a quasi-chief of staff under the Australian Ambassador, Hon Keith Pitt.
Besides the administrative and personal support David provides to the Ambassador, he also oversees and coordinates operations and events – including events inside the Vatican for visiting Australian dignitaries such as prime ministers and ministers for foreign affairs, among others.
David has quipped to his father that in doing what he does means no two days are similar, with anyone from across the globe liable to walk through the door.
He’s also had the honour of meeting former Prime Minister Julia Gillard and then Governor General, Sir Peter Cosgrove, as well as former deputy PM, Tim Fischer.
The sole female Australian Prime Minister was offered a private tour of the Vatican by David.
Perhaps most memorably, David was also fortunate enough to meet Pope Francis.
“He’s always had a deep admiration for Pope Francis, he was truly the people’s pope,” Leigh said.
“He lived simply, famously choosing to drive a small Ford Focus instead of a luxury vehicle, and David heard from Swiss Guards that he’d often walk past them at 4am and ask if they wanted something to eat or drink.
“He also quietly did so much behind the scenes, including visiting women who had been victims of human trafficking in Rome on regular basis.”
David even had the privilege of visiting St. Peter’s Basilica to pay his respects on Pope Francis’ passing.
While most waited full working days to send off His Holiness, through his relationships and position, David was able to be front of line.
One particular person David has come across includes Princess Elettra Marconi, the daughter of Guglielmo Marconi – who invented the radio (or wireless telegraphy) in 1895 – with the Princess and David developing a close bond until her death.
Growing up and attending Albert Street Primary School, Moe, David transitioned to Lowanna College (then Newborough High School).
Leigh ran a photography business, ‘Happy Medium’, out of the old Gala Restaurant above Shaw’s Arcade in Moe, working with celebrities like singer Marcia Hines and TV personality Denise Drysdale when they visited the region.
Following in his father’s footsteps, David also took up photography, working with artists such as singer-songwriter Wendy James from the ’80s pop rock band, Transvision Vamp.
David has shot two album covers and is touring with the pop singer on her Australian tour with the band next year.
Recently returning to his hometown, David was delighted to see the growth of the region – noting some great restaurants like Twenty20 Tapas in Moe.
After Leigh was convinced to take some time off after fighting in the Black Saturday Bushfires in 2009, he rang his son to organise a trip to Italy.
Instead they went straight to New York City, before then heading to Salzburg in Austria.
It held great significance to Leigh, who’s late father Frederick was a thespian and adored the musical classic The Sound of Music.
The famous scene where Julie Andrews dances through the Mirabell Gardens with levity and freedom, the father and son got a plaque made up for their patriarch – and while gardeners come through and fix up the hedges and bushes of the gardens constantly – that plaque of Frederick Duncan Dodd remains there a decade on.
These two have so many more stories to tell, perhaps David could write a book?
