At 54, David Austin considers himself a bit of a goose sometimes.
But the Sacred Heart Primary School principal loves to bring a smile to children’s faces, which is why he can’t help but bring a little Easter magic to the coast each year.
“I’m renowned for dressing up at school and being a bit goosey,” he says.
“I think it’s important for the kids to see that side of staff and teachers.”
Travelling each year to Kioloa Beach, south of Bawley Point on the south coast, to visit his large family, 10 years ago David surprised (at the time) young family members by turning up in a bunny suit and appearing as the Easter Bunny during the holidays to deliver chocolate.
“I used to just dress up in a onesie Easter Bunny suit and throw some easter eggs around,” he says.
“I’d do it at the beach when we were all down there and I realised that all of these families were flocking to the Easter Bunny as well!”
Unwittingly, David’s magical surprise for his family has grown into a town tradition.
“I advertised it a bit on social media after that, saying ‘the Easter Bunny would be there’ and, honestly, people flocked from everywhere,” he says.
“It has just grown and grown and grown.”
Initially travelling in by boat, the Easter Bunny has recently vamped up his ride by showing up on a jetski.
“I sneak out on to the jet ski, get changed out there and then get really close to the shore and throw Easter eggs on to the beach,” says David.
“From there, I go to the boat ramp and then I get mobbed!”
What has now become an annual tradition for the Kioloa community, David says dressing up and making kids smile is almost second nature to him.
“I’ve been a principal for 20 years, and it’s my job to work with children,” he says.
“It’s an easy thing to do, to put on a suit and buy some Easter eggs, put them in a basket and hand them out.
“To see these young kids with big smiles on their faces when they see the Easter Bunny out at sea coming in, that’s why I do it.”
David’s extended family – the Bayadas – are the reason the Easter Bunny’s visit goes as seamlessly as possible.
“Obviously I need help getting on to the jet ski,” says David.
“That’s all my wife’s fabulous family’s help.”
Entering the water without the suit on, David has help from his brothers-in-law to get on and off, ensuring his bunny tail is as bushy as ever.
According to David, there’s something incredibly special about spreading magic as a family.
“We gather at Easter as a family and it’s a big occasion for us, and they’re all part of the magic each year,” he says.
“It was really special when our kids were really young and the magic was still in their eyes, but I think when you see the kids’ faces – both young and old – who now stay on the beach to help direct me around and bring the kids over, that’s amazing.”
Entirely self-funded, David says he has received a generous offer from the local coastal patrol to contribute to the Easter eggs, but turned them down.
“I told them to put the money towards the coastal patrol, I’m happy to do my part for the community,” he says.
Students at the Sacred Heart Primary School aren’t strangers either to getting visited by the Easter Bunny – a great friend of their principal – who usually pops by the day before the holiday at school.
David’s son, Oliver Austin, 20, is “ridiculously proud” of his father and says: “When beachgoers spot him riding in on the jetski, there is often a flock of people running down the beach to catch a glimpse.
“It’s become a crowd favourite for young families.”
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