Donald Shanks

Donald Robert Shanks AO OBE (5 July 19408 April 2011) was an Australian bass-baritone singer who sang over 65 principal roles with Opera Australia and other companies in Australia and overseas. Moffatt Oxenbould said that he had "an immensely important place in the history of opera in this country".

Career Donald Shanks was born in Brisbane, Queensland, and started singing in Methodist church choirs. and an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia in the 1987 Australia Day Honours.

He died on 8 April 2011 at his home in Frenchs Forest, aged 70, of a heart attack; his memorial service was held in St Andrew's Anglican Church, Roseville. He is survived by his wife Pamela, née Moffatt, whom he married in 1964; two sons Murray and Jonathan, both Baptist ministers; and eight grandchildren.