Dave Porter

Dave Porter (1990)
John Adam
Episodes: 482-489

Occupation: Soldier

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Dave Porter was Ben Lucini’s life-long best friend. The pair had known each other since kindergarten and decided to join the army together. Dave arrives in Summer Bay with Ben whilst they are both on leave, and they soon take an interest in the local residents. Dave lacked a subtle approach when it came to women, which was first noticed by Carly Morris. When Dave tries to chat up Carly, she is less than impressed but soon takes an interest in Ben, the more polite of the two friends. Dave soon becomes a problem for the pair when his friendship with Ben makes it difficult for him and Carly to get some time alone. The three of them go out in town but the night ends early as Dave drinks too much and Ben has to take him home. On Ben and Carly’s second date, Dave interrupts them kissing, and almost ruins the blossoming romance by stumbling into Carly’s house, making lots of noise and knocking things over in the kitchen. Ben explains later that Dave likes to let loose when he’s on leave as a way to relax, but often takes it too far with the drink.

Certain that Ben is going to win the Iron Man competition in the Surf Carnival, Dave takes bets, conning Adam Cameron into betting on Grant Mitchell to win, knowing that Ben was a more likely candidate. On the day of the competition, Dave cuts the foot strap on Grant’s boat knowing that would delay him. Adam Cameron then sabotages Ben which leads to neither of the pair winning, and Dave is disappointed. He then takes bets on the beauty contest but once again is left annoyed when Emma Jackson makes a stand about women being treated like pieces of meat, meaning that Celia is left with nobody to declare as the winner.

Dave soon heads back to the army.