The Last Word – A Tribute to Don Norton

It’s is hard saying goodbye to a friend. I did a week ago and I did again this week at his funeral. Don Norton lived a good life and a full life. You would hardly call him an environmentalist, as he was someone who spent most of his career working in the resources industry. But in recent times – all the time I have known him – he has been selling the virtues of Envirofriendly, an innovative liquid waste solution, produced in Brisbane, which dramatically “saves water, saves money and eliminates waste problems” . Different people make an impression on you. Don is one such person. Here I’ve put together something of Don and his contribution, based on his words, those of his dear wife Maree and former work colleagues. Read More

Ian Dymock, in an eulogy at Don’s funeral on Wednesday 29 September 2010, had this to say:

“I met Don in the mid-1980’s when he was the PR manager of BHP Petroleum and I was PR manager of BHP Coal; although we lived in separate states for many years, we often caught up with each other over a beer or two, and quite often with our mutual friend and colleague John Devers, PR manager of BHP Steel, who also joins us here today.

“Don was a remarkable character, and it never failed to impress me how he was prepared to take on something new and challenging, both personally and professionally, without a backward glance. In fact, it was only earlier this year that he asked me to join him on a business venture that was to take him into unchartered new territory; when I questioned our mutual lack of expertise in this area, he merely said – “well, we’ll both learn from the experience, won’t we?

Since coming to realise he had a “death sentence” some months ago  - the terminal illness of leukemia – Don decided he would  put pen to paper in a document he called “My Life”. Part of it was read at his funeral and a full copy passed to me:

“Maree and I had a discussion about how the story of my life should be put together and we both felt it might be better if I wrote it myself as I had actually been through it all. I also had the time, and hopefully I can remember most of the major events in my life.

“The other great thing is that I can also edit it, if required, to make it sound better – or even more interesting, but I will try to keep it as I remember it and try to keep it short and not to put you all to sleep.

“I was born in Hartford Hospital on 1 July 1946, to Muriel, nee Lely, and William, [Bill], Norton and joined my brother David who is five and a half years older than me. Both families can proudly trace their family trees back many centuries and can count many luminaries on its branches. Gregory Norton, the governor of the tower of London, signed King Charles the First’s death warrant. When his son Charles the Second came to the throne from Holland, he brought Sir Peter Lely with him as his court painter. 

“Robert Peele, a prime minister and the inventor of the postage stamp and the policeman was also a member of the Lely family. My father Bill had been an accountant on tea plantations in China and Indonesia prior to World War II. During the war, he joined Mountbatten’s intelligence team and worked at Bletchley Park deciphering the Enigma code. After the war he went up to London as a Stockbroker.

“My early recollections are of a happy life living in a relatively big and comfortable house, and a range of Swiss girls who came to look after us over a number of the early years.

“My life as a Tonbridge public school boy was unremarkable and I certainly did not set any records for academic achievement. My exam results were such that it was felt by my parents that I might achieve the required levels in a couple of subjects at a more focused local College of Further Education rather than continue at an expensive public school. This proved to be a masterstroke as I passed my subjects in one term and was also able to live at home after eleven years or so at boarding school.

“This was followed by a period at Grenoble University in France – no historical English establishments for me – after my brother seemed to have had a wonderful time five years previously, and I think put in a good word with the parents. I did learn to speak French and gain a good early grounding in life as well.”

Don’s dear wife Maree, took up the pen and provided further insight into the man and his mission in life, particularly his career highlights:

“Don was a sailing instructor on the English west coast before he drifted into public affairs with the assistance of a friend’s father. But by 1967, at the age of 21, his feet became itchy and he wanted to move on.

“He set his sights on Canada, till he reached Canada House in London. Finding a very long queue, and being his adventurous self, he went across the road to Australia House and arranged his 10-pound fare to a new country and a new life.

“Don loved being around boats, and on arrival in Australia, he worked for P&O; the sailing bug bit again and he set off crewing a tall Ship, “The New Endeavour” around the Great Barrier Reef.  

“When he finally hit land he found himself in Capella, in Central Queensland, and spent a number of months working on a farm till he bought an old MG and made his way down the East coast until he reached Melbourne.

“During his time in New Zealand – working in Auckland and Christchurch – Don had returned to a career in Public relations. He eventually moved back to Australia and worked initially with BP and when he moved to Woodside Petroleum, and in 1984 to work with BHP Petroleum as their public affairs manager.

“Don left BHP in 1997 to work for himself as a consultant, working with Sedexo France, Hamiltons, Hancock Coal, Anaconda, Geo Dynamics, and Peabody Coal to name a few.”

Here’s a description Don gave me a few months ago which describes the work he was doing through his business, Norton Associates, and which also reflected his past work:

“Norton Associates provides advice to clients on Reputation Management, a vital, hard won, commercial asset and one which companies squander at their peril.

“We work with companies, organisations to develop the desired reputation and brand among all stakeholders using a wide range of appropriate communications strategies, practices and tools to achieve the results that meet with a company’s objectives.

“We can also assist established companies and organizations with recognised brands and reputations to determine if these are in line with stakeholder perception. We will work with the company’s management and staff to implement all or various aspects of the reputation audit and/or development program.

“We also work with companies, organisations and groups to develop plans and strategies to protect a hard won reputation. We conduct an initial audit process and report in the first instance to allow an organisation to understand its risks and determine the level of preparedness it may choose to deal with possible issues or emergencies.

“We can prepare appropriate plans, assist in implementing those plans, train staff and provide on site support to the company in the event of an incident, emergency or crisis. We also provide a social impact assessment and planning service for companies in the resource sector. Norton Associates has many years experience in this area gained through working for a range of national and international clients.”

Besides his work and his love of golf and sailing, Don has been a wonderful father to two boys – now strong young men – Jeremy, living in America and Mark, living in Perth.

Jeremy has already been doing some great work to help Don get the Envirofriendly product into North and South America.

Maree, his dear wife, is also committed to continue the work Don has started, and she will manage the product distribution for Envirofriendly here and overseas.

Here’s a more personal message from me (Ken Hickson), based on some of the things I said to Don in a personal note a week before he died. So often we say things about someone when they’re gone. I wanted him to hear it/read it from me while he was still very much alive:

“I felt bad yesterday discussing business with you both when doctors and nurses were coming and going and obviously you were having trouble even breathing, but I think you are both excited about the prospects for Singapore. 

“I want to say to you Don that I am determined to continue the good work that you have started for Envirofriendly, and I will do all I can to not only promote the product in Singapore, but to help get Maree into the scheme of things so she can not only enjoy it but also benefit from the business development work.

“You have done some wonderful work over the years and I am surprised that our pathways have not crossed before last year, even though we have had somewhat similar work experiences.

 “But I want you to know how much you will be missed by me. How much I have enjoyed our times together – the personal chats and the business planning – and I will do my best to follow your example: To communicate well. To deal in a firm but friendly fashion with all I do business with.

“I want you to know from me that you move on knowing you have made a great contribution to this world – through your work, through your personality, through your values and your commitment to the good things in life.  Your dear wife (and your sons) will also continue to follow your great example as well.

“Go quietly and go well. You have done your life’s work.”

If anyone would like to know more about Don Norton and his work, or make contact with his family, please let me know. – Ken Hickson

Source: www.abccarbon.com