Don Featherstone

Sydney (Don) Featherstone (1902–1984) is known for his work as an amateur filmmaker in Australia, being awarded a British Empire Medal for services to cinephotography.

Featherstone was an awarded ambulance officer, receiving the insignia of the serving brother of the Order of St John in 1966.

From the 1920s to the 1980s Featherstone made 55 films across genre including fiction, travel, history, and documentary. His work was mainly focussed on the Darling Downs, and includes the 1954 royal visit.

Early life and education Featherstone was born on 16 November 1902 at Darlington, England. He was the second of six sons. His father, Joseph Featherstone, was a railway shunter and an ambulanceman. His mother was Eliza Dorothy, née Moody. and the Merry Makers, and played steel guitar. Featherstone won prizes for his paintings at the Royal Adelaide Show and the 1954 Brisbane Exhibition. Otherworks include 'Golden Tree', water colour, 'Toowoomba Town Hall', water colour.

Featherstone married Emmie Gillam, of Toowoomba, on 25 February 1933. They had one daughter. and taught adult education classes in painting.

Career While working at the Toowoomba Foundry, Featherstone undertook first-aid training, and in 1939 received his instructor's certificate from the St John Ambulance Association. From 1942 he worked as a medical orderly at Wallangara, Canungra, and Truscott in the Civil Construction Corp.

He became a nurse in 1961, an occupation Featherstone kept until 1968. He instructed in first-aid at the Toowoomba Mental Hospital from 1965, and on 27 July 1966 he was awarded with the insignia of the serving brother of the Order of St John. and became a life member in 1961. One of "The Ten Best Films" in the 37th PSA-MPD International Film Festival for Under the Kurrajong (1966) The scene composition is a joy to the eye, and cutting gives the film a different pace from many of this type. An "Honorable Mention" in the 37th PSA-MPD International Film Festival for Narraburra (1966)

Memoria The Don Featherstone Memorial Trophy

Filmography Film work by Featherstone includes: Bush Critics (1961); screened by the Federation of Australian Amateur Cine Societies 1968 Under the Kurrajong (1966) Narraburra (1966)