In 1951 he began work in the Bank of NSW in Parkes. As his basic training in the National Service first intake coincided with this, he consequently left the bank and at the completion of his National Service, he entered the jewellery trade for a short while.

In 1952 Don applied for a position as a student radiographer at Royal Prince Alfred hospital. In order to be accepted, he needed to reinvent his date of birth by 12 months. This proved to be the beginning of a career of 45 years in radiography.

Don met Lyn in 1955 holidaying with his Aunty Val and Uncle Jack Mackay who lived across the river from where Lyn lived at Tiri. The Mackays and Summervilles were family friends. Don and Lyn married at Wingham in September 1956.

Upon conclusion of his training in 1956, he was appointed sole radiographer at Inverell District hospital. He worked in this position for 12 months before transferring to the position of first and sole radiographer at Manning River District Hospital in 1957.

Don and Lyn’s firstborn, Lyanne, was born seven days before Don commenced work in Taree.

The family lived in a flat in Macquarie Street, until moving to Chatham where they have lived ever since.

Don continued to work at MRD until 1991 – a total of 35 years. He then joined a private practice until he retired in 1998.

As sole radiographer for nearly 11 years Don was married to the job. He was on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There were no mobile phones, no radio or paging system, so he was contacted wherever he went by Browns Taxi service.

Amongst his professional achievements was being the office bearer for the Institute of Radiography for more than 17 years – he was the first rural radiographer to be involved in this and it meant he clocked up over 540,000 kilometres of travel.

During his leadership he successfully negotiated the transfer of radiography training from the technical colleges to university. In 1991, after 40 years of service, he was honoured with the Institute’s highest award, The Nicholas Outterside Medallion, and was awarded life membership to the Institute in 2001

His commitment to his profession was only a part of who Don was.

His other interests and achievements included being a life member of Apex, and a fundraising Walkathon, the first in Australia, which raised much needed money to fund the first blood bank in Taree.

Don’s involvement in Apex led to his role in the establishment of Taree’s first Sheltered Workshop that has since became known as Valley Industries. He was also the chairman for 10 years.

After Apex he joined Taree North Rotary and then went on to join Manning River Lions. He was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow for Lions International Foundation in 2005. 

He was a member of numerous council committees including the Social Development Group and the Police Liaison Committee, chairman of the Welfare Committee and president of Taree Legacy Club, a member of the Manning Counselling Service that established the first women’s refuge, and he was a current member of the Manning Area Health Advisory Committee.

Don was the foundation president on the Mid North Coast Arts Council and was involved with the Arts Council since the 1960s, performing in many productions. He was also a member of a trio that included Dennis Brown and Frank Fogo. They performed in several venues and even recorded some radio ads.

Music was a great passion and Don was involved in it right up to the very end.

He sang in the Manning Choral Society and was a member of the U3A Silvertones and sang occasionally in the Bushland Place Choir.

Don was a foundation member of the Mid North Coast Arts Society and he was awarded life membership in 2008. He regularly exhibited his work in local exhibitions and was still pursuing the perfect pastel. He was also devoted to photography.

In his earlier years he was a keen sailor and a lawn bowler.

He was the Tuesday night DJ on Great Lakes FM for many years – with his own fan club.

Throughout his life he was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, attending Fellowship in his youth and then later becoming an Elder. The Church community formed a large part of his life.

In 2009 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his services to his profession and the community.