DUNOON, Donald George (1932-2016)
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The world of post-war car racing became a magnet for 'Don' Dunoon' whose mechanical aptitude saw him take part in some of Australia's most iconic car-racing events.
The 1960 Armstrong 500 was an endurance motor race for Australian made or assembled standard production sedans. The first event was held at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Victoria on 20 November 1960 over a distance of 167 laps each of 3 miles - a total race of 501 miles. This was the first event held in the history of the race later to become known as the Bathurst 1000, the race that would come to dominate Australian motor racing.
In this first event in 1960, Bill Clemens and Don Dunoon, representing the Rootes Motor Group (No 44), entered their Hillman Minx in Class C though their car was not to finish the race. In 1962, a far better result awaited Ian Wells and Don Dunoon racing under the Clemens Sporting Car Services colours (No 37), when their Hillman Minx came fourth in Class C (1301cc to 2000cc) behind a Renault Dauphine Gordini, a Morris Major Elite and a Simca Aronde.
Donald George Dunoon was enrolled as a boarder into Form V at Geelong College from 6 February 1947 to December 1950. He had previously been a student at Swan Hill High School. His address at enrolment was 196 Campbell St, Swan Hill. 'Don' had been born on 2 July 1932, the son of K H Dunoon. At College,he was a very active member of the House of Guilds Council, Secretary of the Council in 1949 representing the Radio Group, and in 1950 representing the Model Aeroplaners Group.
He was also a member of Shannon House, the Under 16 Football Team in 1948, and later, Captain of the 2nd Football XVIII during the season. He rowed in the 3rd VIII in 1949 in No 3 seat and was a member of the Rowing Committee in 1950. As a member of the Exploration Society he took part in the Kiewa Valley trip. He played the drums in the Band of 1949.
On graduation from the Gordon Institute, Don applied for a job at Ford Product Engineering without success. He then went to Rootes Group Aust.
In 1958, Pegasus reported 'not only that he was an associate in automotive engineering at the Gordon Institute of Technology but that he ‘recently toured the Continent with a racing driver, and is now employed by Humber (Rootes Group) at Coventry’ .
In 1990, Ad Adstra reported that he had resigned from Ford after 23 years to spend more time with the family and start an automotive consultancy from Barwon Heads but is now Chief Engineer for Nissan Australia. His final employment was at Nissan in an executive position.
It was at College that he developed a fascination with mechanical objects that later led him to study engineering at the Gordon Institute, Geelong. This interest was highlighted in a whimsical article in the gloriously irreverent Geelong College student paper ‘Chez Nous’ of 19 November 1948 in which the paper graphically headlined: 'Airliner Crashes – None Killed’ .
The item continued: 'G.C.A. (Geelong College Airlines.), today announced the loss of a single engine plane, which it 'is alleged, crashed on the airport after being aloft several minutes. This is just another link in the chain of crashes which have shocked the nation. However we sincerely hope it is the last. Mr D Dunoon; spokesman, for G.C.A., said that the plane had been stunting and had failed to recover from a dive. He added that it was a great loss to his company which is only finding its feet but he had no doubt but that they could pull through. In an interview with Mr H L McInnes — the head mechanic of G.C.A.— it was found that the plane had been overhauled before flight and it is doubtful if structural fault was responsible. The plane, itself, is a total wreck and will not fly again'. The injuries received were confined to abrasions and shock. All female passengers are reported to have been carried to safety — acting on the principle that in an emergency all conventions go by the board. The official inquiry will be opened soon and it is expected that review of safety regulations and better qualification for pilots will eventuate from it.’
John Fairnie, a friend of Don's recalled: 'After leaving College, ‘Don’ put theory into practice and built his own ‘special’ from an old Austin 7 wreck. He had already installed a foot change gearbox on an ancient ‘hand change’ Levis motor bike. His original A7 engine was 'hotted up' – increased compression with special pistons and ‘shaved’ cylinder head, twin side draft carbys and improved exhaust system on manifolds that he designed and fabricated himself. The chasis was lowered and new suspension, front and rear, designed as was a new steering layout. The body was minimal – tubular with aluminium sheeting. This machine could hold its own with the MGs of the time and was raced at the Fishermans Bend Quarter Mile Time Trials and various hill climbs.'
The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) honoured Don in 2016 with a Certificate of Appreciation. CAMS described him as:
'It's not often in motor sport that you find an official that has not only been accredited for over 20 years, but also has raced since the '50s, acted as an engineer for overseas car manufacturers and also worked as a senior executive for major car companies.
Don Dunoon is one of Australian motor sport's unsung heroes, and is proud to be a CAMS accredited official since 1995.
His love for racing not only comes from volunteering at events, but also his previous history in racing cars and working for brands like Nissan and Ford. Don volunteered at 20 Australian Grands Prix between 1995 and 2015. ...
Not only did he have a wonderful history as a competitor dating back to the 1950s, he had worked in key executive roles at both Ford and Nissan. In addition, he had committed to giving back to the sport by volunteering his exceptional services as an official at 20 consecutive Australian Grands Prix.
Don left for the UK in the late 1950's where he continued to compete and work as an engineer. After returning to Australia in 1960, he worked as a Senior Executive at Ford for over 20 years. In the 1980's he was appointed the Chief Engineer for Nissan and successfully pushed to bring the Nissan GTR into the Australian market.
Don was planning to volunteer again at the Australian Grand Prix for his 21st year in March as a Pit Lane Marshal, but was prevented from doing so due to illness. CAMS wishes to congratulate and thank Don Dunoon for his service to CAMS and motor sport generally.'
'Don' was also interested in sailing and in his retirement had a catamaran hire business run from his home on the banks of the river at Barwon Heads. 'Don' died at his home at Barwon Heads on 13 June 2016. He married Norma nee Barradell on 11 November 1961 at Sandringham Presbyterian Church, Sandringham. Their two children both attended Geelong College.
The world of post-war car racing became a magnet for 'Don' Dunoon' whose mechanical aptitude saw him take part in some of Australia's most iconic car-racing events.The 1960 Armstrong 500 was an endurance motor race for Australian made or assembled standard production sedans. The first event was held at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Victoria on 20 November 1960 over a distance of 167 laps each of 3 miles - a total race of 501 miles. This was the first event held in the history of the race later to become known as the Bathurst 1000, the race that would come to dominate Australian motor racing.
In this first event in 1960, Bill Clemens and Don Dunoon, representing the Rootes Motor Group (No 44), entered their Hillman Minx in Class C though their car was not to finish the race. In 1962, a far better result awaited Ian Wells and Don Dunoon racing under the Clemens Sporting Car Services colours (No 37), when their Hillman Minx came fourth in Class C (1301cc to 2000cc) behind a Renault Dauphine Gordini, a Morris Major Elite and a Simca Aronde.
Donald George Dunoon was enrolled as a boarder into Form V at Geelong College from 6 February 1947 to December 1950. He had previously been a student at Swan Hill High School. His address at enrolment was 196 Campbell St, Swan Hill. 'Don' had been born on 2 July 1932, the son of K H Dunoon. At College,he was a very active member of the House of Guilds Council, Secretary of the Council in 1949 representing the Radio Group, and in 1950 representing the Model Aeroplaners Group.
He was also a member of Shannon House, the Under 16 Football Team in 1948, and later, Captain of the 2nd Football XVIII during the season. He rowed in the 3rd VIII in 1949 in No 3 seat and was a member of the Rowing Committee in 1950. As a member of the Exploration Society he took part in the Kiewa Valley trip. He played the drums in the Band of 1949.
On graduation from the Gordon Institute, Don applied for a job at Ford Product Engineering without success. He then went to Rootes Group Aust.
In 1958, Pegasus reported 'not only that he was an associate in automotive engineering at the Gordon Institute of Technology but that he ‘recently toured the Continent with a racing driver, and is now employed by Humber (Rootes Group) at Coventry’ .
In 1990, Ad Adstra reported that he had resigned from Ford after 23 years to spend more time with the family and start an automotive consultancy from Barwon Heads but is now Chief Engineer for Nissan Australia. His final employment was at Nissan in an executive position.
It was at College that he developed a fascination with mechanical objects that later led him to study engineering at the Gordon Institute, Geelong. This interest was highlighted in a whimsical article in the gloriously irreverent Geelong College student paper ‘Chez Nous’ of 19 November 1948 in which the paper graphically headlined: 'Airliner Crashes – None Killed’ .The item continued: 'G.C.A. (Geelong College Airlines.), today announced the loss of a single engine plane, which it 'is alleged, crashed on the airport after being aloft several minutes. This is just another link in the chain of crashes which have shocked the nation. However we sincerely hope it is the last. Mr D Dunoon; spokesman, for G.C.A., said that the plane had been stunting and had failed to recover from a dive. He added that it was a great loss to his company which is only finding its feet but he had no doubt but that they could pull through. In an interview with Mr H L McInnes — the head mechanic of G.C.A.— it was found that the plane had been overhauled before flight and it is doubtful if structural fault was responsible. The plane, itself, is a total wreck and will not fly again'. The injuries received were confined to abrasions and shock. All female passengers are reported to have been carried to safety — acting on the principle that in an emergency all conventions go by the board. The official inquiry will be opened soon and it is expected that review of safety regulations and better qualification for pilots will eventuate from it.’
John Fairnie, a friend of Don's recalled: 'After leaving College, ‘Don’ put theory into practice and built his own ‘special’ from an old Austin 7 wreck. He had already installed a foot change gearbox on an ancient ‘hand change’ Levis motor bike. His original A7 engine was 'hotted up' – increased compression with special pistons and ‘shaved’ cylinder head, twin side draft carbys and improved exhaust system on manifolds that he designed and fabricated himself. The chasis was lowered and new suspension, front and rear, designed as was a new steering layout. The body was minimal – tubular with aluminium sheeting. This machine could hold its own with the MGs of the time and was raced at the Fishermans Bend Quarter Mile Time Trials and various hill climbs.'
The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) honoured Don in 2016 with a Certificate of Appreciation. CAMS described him as:
'It's not often in motor sport that you find an official that has not only been accredited for over 20 years, but also has raced since the '50s, acted as an engineer for overseas car manufacturers and also worked as a senior executive for major car companies.
Don Dunoon is one of Australian motor sport's unsung heroes, and is proud to be a CAMS accredited official since 1995.
His love for racing not only comes from volunteering at events, but also his previous history in racing cars and working for brands like Nissan and Ford. Don volunteered at 20 Australian Grands Prix between 1995 and 2015. ...
Not only did he have a wonderful history as a competitor dating back to the 1950s, he had worked in key executive roles at both Ford and Nissan. In addition, he had committed to giving back to the sport by volunteering his exceptional services as an official at 20 consecutive Australian Grands Prix.
Don left for the UK in the late 1950's where he continued to compete and work as an engineer. After returning to Australia in 1960, he worked as a Senior Executive at Ford for over 20 years. In the 1980's he was appointed the Chief Engineer for Nissan and successfully pushed to bring the Nissan GTR into the Australian market.
Don was planning to volunteer again at the Australian Grand Prix for his 21st year in March as a Pit Lane Marshal, but was prevented from doing so due to illness. CAMS wishes to congratulate and thank Don Dunoon for his service to CAMS and motor sport generally.'
'Don' was also interested in sailing and in his retirement had a catamaran hire business run from his home on the banks of the river at Barwon Heads. 'Don' died at his home at Barwon Heads on 13 June 2016. He married Norma nee Barradell on 11 November 1961 at Sandringham Presbyterian Church, Sandringham. Their two children both attended Geelong College.