A look at one of Trent Dalton’s first stories

Following the success of Trent Dalton’s debut novel, which won across four categories as last night’s Australian Book Industry Awards, we take a look at one of his earliest pieces written for Brisbane News 19 years ago.

Trent Dalton’s debut novel was a hit at the Australian Book Industry Awards. Picture: Adam Yip

FOLLOWING the success of journalist-turned-author Trent Dalton’s debut novel Boy Swallows Universe, which won across four categories as last night’s Australian Book Industry Awards, we take a look at one of his earliest pieces written for News Corp’s Brisbane News.

News Corp Australia journalist Trent Dalton wins big at Australian Book Industry Awards

The following was first published in Brisbane News on May 24, 2000.

YOU’LL never look at Brisbane the same way again after a personalised tour, writes Trent Dalton

FOR the next few hours I will show you why I love Brisbane,” vows John Donaldson, as we slide into his white unmarked Tarago van.

“Where do you want to go first?”

Great storytellers display passion for their subject and John’s enthusiasm for Brisbane is obvious as soon as I shake his hand.

Trent Dalton with Boy Swallows Universe.

He even admits that he’s blessed with “the gift of the gab” and is in the right job to use it. Personally Yours Tours is a concept developed by John and his wife, Barbara, 10 months ago. They now specialise in taking people on tailor-made tours of Brisbane and southeast Queensland.

“My kids call me ‘Information Man’,” John says.

And there’s no doubting that John is a superhero of sorts. In the name of fun, relaxation and the Australian way, he zips through Brisbane streets offering his information service to whoever wants to listen.

By the time we’ve reached the top of Teneriffe Hill, Captain James Cook has discovered Australia, Matthew Flinders has braved the stormy waters off the east coast and John Oxley’s Mermaid has entered the mouth of the Brisbane River.

“My tour is designed for people who don’t want to see Brisbane from the back of a bus,” John says.

“I take people where the buses can’t go.”

Trent Dalton on assignment for QWeekend.

Winding through some narrow Teneriffe streets, John talks of the convict settlements of 1824, the discovery of gold in Gympie, the detachment of Queensland from New South Wales in 1859 and the devastating Brisbane floods of 1893 and 1974.

“It was Expo ‘88 that put us (Brisbane) on the map,” John says.

“Nowadays, Brisbane hosts a huge array of quality hotels and our success is evidenced by the huge number of overseas people pouring into the place.”

We pass Adelaide House, currently known as “The Deanery” and tucked away behind St John’s Cathedral. It was from the veranda of this house that Queensland’s first governor, George Ferguson Bowen, read the proclamation declaring Queensland a state in 1859.

On the side of Ann Street we stop to admire the recent gold-plate finishing on the City Hall clock face.

Trent Dalton pictured back in 2006, when he worked for The Courier-Mail’s QWeekend.

Later we drive through the luxury end of Hamilton, exploring the beautiful homes of yesteryear. Each home has a story and John knows every one.

We also explore enchanting Sutherland Avenue with its canopy of jacarandas and poincianas. Then it’s on to the historic near-mansion Glengariff and T.C. Beirne Park in Hendra.

Each red traffic light prompts a different story.

Driving along Mayne Road, John speaks of the infamous Mayne family. With the charming grin of a schoolboy eager to share secrets with his mates, John recounts the tale of shady Patrick Mayne and the gain and loss of the Mayne fortune.

“We were showing some British friends the best parts of Brisbane when they suggested I do it for a living. Now I get to use my two best assets. One, I can talk under wet concrete and two, I have a memory like a steel trap,” John says.

Trent Dalton pictured last week. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Exploring the various buildings, statues and landmarks of Brisbane on a Personally Yours Tour is like seeing sites with fresh eyes.

You feel renewed interest for buildings you might pass everyday. The seemingly mundane becomes urban legend.

“People tend to forget the fascinating things about Brisbane. The interesting little stories,” John says.

Personally Yours Tours cater for up to six passengers (seven is also possible but it’s a tight squeeze). Before each tour John gives each passenger an interest checklist to help them decide where they want to go. Subjects vary between historical sites, architecture, Queensland-style homes, rainforests, music or sailing, to name just a few. John can pick you up, show you Brisbane within a 150km radius and drop you back home again.

As we squeeze into Gloucester Street to observe the compact townhouses of Spring Hill, it becomes clear John is the rarest of people — a know-it-all well worth listening to.

* The writer was a guest of Personally Yours Tours. Contact John on 0417 740 489 or on 07 3263 6493 or at http://www.personallyyourstours.com.au/contacts.html.