Darrell West spent his childhood at Killiecrankie on Flinders Island learning his cultural practices and living off the land. West's mother is the late Aunty Ida West (q.v.) and much of his early childhood is documented in her 1984 book Pride against Prejudice (q.v.). West moved to Hobart in 1960 and began his football career. He excelled at football and was awarded the 1986 Tasmanian Aboriginal Sportsman of the Year. In the 1980s, West became Tasmania's first Aboriginal heritage officer. He was involved in the Franklin River protests, the protection of Kuti Kina Cave and the reclamation of Oyster Cove by Tasmanian Aboriginal people. (Source: Koori Mail, 20 May 2009, p. 26)
