Allan was born at the Braidwood Hospital on 2nd October 1948 the youngest of four boys of Lionel and Win McDonald of Majors Creek and youngest brother of Keith, Brian and Ross. Allan grew up in the village and attended Majors Creek Public School to sixth class and then to Braidwood Central 

School where he obtained his Intermediate Certificate. 

Growing up at Majors Creek he had many friends whom he kept close contact with over the years but sadly this year he lost his great mate Brian Stuart who as youngsters were inseparable and spent many hours together. 

After leaving school Allan was able to obtain a printing apprenticeship at the Braidwood Dispatch Office in Braidwood with the late Keith Peace and his son Robert, this was back in the linotype days when the Braidwood Review was published on Tuesdays and the Dispatch on Fridays. This trade was something that he carried all through his life.

After completing his apprenticeship and following the Braidwood Dispatch being taken over by Maxwell Newton, he then moved to Canberra to work for Maxwell Newton followed by other commercial printing firms, and the Canberra Times.

In 1971 he married Margaret Flynn at St Stephens Anglican Church Majors Creek, then settling at Canberra where they made their home and were blessed with their children Gregory, Stephen and Fiona. 

In 1980 Allan and Margaret made a move and purchased an old established printing business at Batemans Bay which they operated in rented premises until building their own office and modern workshop in Kylie Crescent. Batemans Bay Printers became well known with clients from far and wide including Braidwood and the district. 

In 2007, Allan and Margaret decided it was time to enjoy life and sell the business after 27 years. 

Allan enjoyed the next years, playing a game of golf, converting a bus into a mobile home, making improvements around his home and buying a block of land at Majors Creek where he spent many hours building a new house when finished he was most proud of. 

Allan was a keen sportsman and a great follower of rugby, with his mates at Batemans Bay they often travelled many kms to watch matches. 

Sadly in 2013 he was struck down with a serious illness and spent many weeks in Moruya, Batemans Bay and Canberra hospitals. During all the time of his illness Allan never lost interest in what was going on and of the welfare of those around him and in particular was very grateful to the many friends that visited him in hospital and at his home.

During the last 10 weeks he was lovingly cared for at home in Batemans Bay by his wife Margaret and daughter Fiona and passed away with his family by his side on Saturday 6th December. 

Allan's funerals service conducted by Rev Peter Lord at the Anglican Church of Ascension Batemans Bay was largely attended by family and many friends who later gathered at the Catalina Club to reminisce on Allan's life and the many happy times together. 

He is survived by his wife Margaret, father and father in law of Gregory and Caroline, Stephen and Katrina, Fiona and partner Thomas, grandchildren Jye and Katherine and brother of Brian. 

May he Rest in Peace

Brian McDonald