Don grew up in country Victoria on a small farm near Natimuk, blessed to be raised in a Christian family. From an early age he understood his need for salvation, but it was during a church camp in Robe, South Australia, that he fully surrendered his life to Christ. After completing secondary education in Horsham, Don undertook three years of teacher training in Ballarat. He went on to enjoy a fulfilling forty‑year career as a primary school teacher before retiring in mid‑2017.

In 2014, Don and his wife Vilma began attending GraceWest, where they have remained an active and cherished part of the church family. Together they have four children, two sons‑in‑law, two daughters‑in‑law, and four grandchildren. Don’s heartfelt desire is that GraceWest would continue to be a place of refuge for like‑minded believers, where the body of Christ can worship, encourage one another, and glorify God in unity.