The Don Walker Story

I recently attended the book launch event for Felicity Jack's biography on the life and times of local mining identity, the late Mr Donald Robin Walker.  This small event which was held at the Herberton Mining Museum attracted some sixty people who heard the local Mayor Joe Paronella official launch the book entitled 'You'd never believe!..The life and work of Donald Robin Walker'.  The story covers Don's family life from his childhood growing up in Victoria to his arrival in North Queensland as a young man seeking opportunities in the timber industry just after the end of the Second World War, through to his long involvement in the local tin mining industry.  Felicity spoke of how she came to write the story and although the many 'skeletons in his cupboard' was left out of the book, it still makes a good read on how Don came to find many opportunities on the Atherton tablelands for a young entrepreneur at that time.  The ninety year old Donald, who was then in failing health, lived long enough to be able to attend the event although his daughter spoke on his behalf and together they generously gave away a copy of the attractive hardcover book to all those in attendance.  Donald Walker passed away just several weeks after the book launch and a page has closed on the history of the Far North.  I have been told that stocks of the book has already sold out so it may be hard to find a copy.