David Packham

David Packham (9 April 1832 – 4 April 1912) was an Australian politician. He was a member of the South Australian House of Assembly from 1894 to 1896, representing the electorate of East Torrens. He had earlier been a Town of Kensington and Norwood councillor for 22 years, and was mayor from 1878 to 1880.

Packham was born in Sussex, England, and his family migrated to South Australia when he was seven, arriving in Holdfast Bay on the Moffat on 16 December 1839. The family resided for some time on the land that would later house the General Post Office, Adelaide. His father, William Packham, acquired the first flour mill in South Australia at Burnside. Packham worked for his father for several years, before going into farming, first at Burnside and later at Magill. He also went into the road-making business, opening the quarry at Stonyfell. In 1851, he went to the Victorian gold diggings for a period. During his time at Burnside, Packham was a District Council of Burnside councillor for six years.

In 1864, Packham moved to Kensington, and established a chaff mill. It was severely damaged by fire soon after becoming operational, but he was able to rebuild with the insurance money and operated the business until his retirement. In business, he also served as chairman of directors of the Ethel Silver Mine at Silverton and the Balhannah Mining Company. He was heavily involved with the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society, serving on its council, as a judge and steward for the Royal Adelaide Show, and eventually becoming a life member. He was also a trustee of the Loyal Norwood Lodge of Oddfellows. He entered the House of Assembly on his third attempt when he won the 1894 by-election, following the appointment of Playford as Agent-General in London. He suffered a serious injury while a parliamentarian when his buggy capsized and spent several months recuperating, though he eventually made a full recovery. His state career was to be short-lived, as he was defeated at the 1896 colonial election, finishing fourth in the two-member electorate and losing his seat to ally John Darling Jr.

His son, William, later became a successful businessman and also served as a Kensington and Norwood councillor.