David Benson has been a longer term supported of Australia philately.  He is well known in the Sydney philatelic scene at both club and State level.  His service to commercial philately have allowed many other philatelists to build their collections.  David has a long association with Exchange Branch activities.  In recent years he developed the concept of club postal history auctions which has generated increased membership for the Philatelic Society of New South Wales.  David has on a number of occasions brought forward ideas which have increased membership in a number of clubs.  He has served for many years as librarian of the Royal Sydney Philatelic Club.

At State level, David has been a long term member of the Philas executive serving as treasurer and on the committee.  He has been part of a team which since 1975 built Philas Auctions into a major supplier of material for Australian collectors.  David received the Philas Medal for Service in 1986.

Since 1970 exhibition committees in Sydney have carried the name of D Benson.  David is a State, national and internationally accredited judge.  In 1985, David was Australian Commissioner to Israphil-85, one of the first generation of national commissioners.  He was Executive member of Anpex 1970, Sydpex 1980, and Sydpex 88.  In 1986 he and his wife began an association with Asian philately.  David has been a stalwart of the Pacific Islands Study Circle of the Royal Sydney Philatelic Club.  He collection of Tonga is of a high standard and he has researched the early mails systems of that island nation.  His knowledge of 19th century philately is extensive.