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Donald Chambers (author)

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Not to be confused with Donald Eugene Chambers.

Donald (Don) Chambers (12 July 1935 – 11 October 2015) was an author, historian, heritage advocate and councillor in Victoria, Australia. He was responsible for 11 books, on subjects including cemeteries and timber bridges.

Early life and education

Chambers was born on 12 July 1935 at Lillydale Bush Nursing hospital, on the eastern fringes of Melbourne, Victoria, to Alan and Hazel Chambers and spent his early years in the outer Melbourne suburb of Croydon, then moved to Euroa and Kelvin View. He was educated at Euroa State School, Kelvin View Primary School, Euroa Higher Elementary School to fifth form, then the last year available at the school, and completed his Leaving Certificate as a correspondence student. He undertook matriculation studies through Taylor's Correspondence School gaining an arts degree and entered a divinity course studying history and philosophy to honours, receiving a 4th year History prize in 1965. He completed his MA andwon a Commonwealth Scholarship for a divinity degree at Cambridge University commencing 1966.[1]

After leaving school he worked at the Avenel Estate of Tehan brothers and on his Uncle Harold Godden's Violet Town farm. Don undertook National Service at Puckapunyal Army Camp, learning to operate General Grant Tanks; then travelled to northern Queensland, shearing sheep. Returning to Violet Town he became a member of the local Presbyterian Fellowship Association, and joined the Violet Town Presbyterian Church and football team.[1]

Work and community activity

Chambers worked for 28 years with Colonial Sugar Refineries Australia (CSR) and later as Marketing Manager for Chambers Wines. He served on the Indigo Shire Council for four terms and as Indigo mayor in 1999 and 2000[2] and was a long standing member of the Indigo Shire Heritage Committee in addition to advisory committees for the Burke Museum.[3]

He was Chair of the National Association of Keep Australia Beautiful for 10 years and Chair of the Victorian branch of the Association for four years.[3] He was a committee member of the Victorian Local Governance Association for which he was awarded a Life Membership in 2007, the Australian Packing Covenant Council, North East Regional Waste Management Group and Chair for 5 years, Victorian Litter Action Alliance, Municipal Advisory Association Human Services, Planning and Environment Committees, EcoRecycle Victoria, Sustainability Victoria, North East Water, the Timber Towns and Murray Darling Region Committee, Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee, Australian Alpine Valleys Agribusiness Forum, North East Catchment Management Authority Board Advisory Sub-Committee. He was particularly active in Rutherglen, playing important roles with Rutherglen Landcare, the Rutherglen Historical Society, Rutherglen Common School Museum and the Rutherglen Gold Battery management committees.[3]

Chambers held sporting records under the Masters athletics competitions in hurdles, long jump, high jump and triple jump. He was also a member of the Victorian National Party, for which he lobbied on the creation of Victorian Marine Parks legislation, and the ‘Towards Zero Waste’ policy.[3]

Awards

  • Victorian Community History Award 2004: for Melbourne General Cemetery[4]
  • Colin Crisp Award for Engineering Excellence 2007: Highly Commended for Wooden Wonders [5]
  • Victorian Community History Awards 2007, Commendation, Best Collaborative / Community Work[4]
  • Heritage Gold Award for heritage advocacy in recognition of his contribution to Rutherglen, Indigo Shire.[6]

Selected publications

  • 'Chambers, Don (Donald); National Trust of Australia (Victoria); Roads Corporation (Vic.); Victorian Association of Forest Industries; Heritage Victoria (2006), Wooden wonders : Victoria's timber bridges, Hyland House, ISBN 978-1-86447-100-7
  • Chambers, Don (Donald) (2001), City of the dead : a history of the Necropolis, Springvale, Hyland House, ISBN 978-1-86447-020-8
  • Chambers, Don (Donald) (2003), The Melbourne General Cemetery, Hyland House, ISBN 978-1-86447-057-4
  • Carlton: A History, edited by Peter Yule

References

  1. ^ a b The life of Don Chambers, Violet Town Action Group
  2. ^ Vale Don Chambers Indigo Shire council Media Release
  3. ^ a b c d Kirsty Richards – Director KABNA Board
  4. ^ a b Royal Historical Society of Victoria, Past VCHA Winners
  5. ^ Engineering Heritage Australia Colin Crisp Award
  6. ^ Border Mail, JANET HOWIE 14 May 2016
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