' This is a memoir of Donald Munro who was born in 1927 in Brisbane. He attended Brisbane State High during the World War II, mixing with a group of precocious students with an interest in music, both classical and rock as it turned out, poetry and the arts in general, many of whom went on to be well known in the arts both in Australia and internationally. Don attended Teachers' College in Brisbane and the University of Queensland and became a country school teacher before quickly becoming a lecturer at the College. From an early age he had listened to music, opera and concerts avidly and attended concerts in Brisbane, which at the time had a rich cultural life. During these years at University and his early career he wrote musical reviews for the university newspaper, the Bulletin and other publications and later reviewed performances on early ABC television and for radio. He was president of Musica Viva, hosting artists for post concert suppers at home and was a member of various ABC music boards. A fluent French speaker, he became the head of the Institute of Modern Languages before becoming Deputy Registrar at the University of Queensland. Through that period he led two lives - first as a teacher and then university administrator and a second life, immersed in music in various very active ways. In 1984, he was chosen by the Queensland Government as the founding director and chairman of the Trust which created the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC). This role lasted for 13 years. As a memoir, the book recalls life in Brisbane before and during World War II, influential and interesting people of the time who Don knew or had met. It recalls concerts and incidents and other people associated with his musical journey, his period living with his family in London, travelling in Europe during and after the Cold War, and the events around the building, opening and operation of QPAC.' (Publication summary)
