Northampton artist George Macdonald a ‘goldmine’ of history

Scotsman George Macdonald travelled much of the country after arriving in Australia. Sick of Sydney, he bought a car but realised when he reached north Queensland he needed a four-wheel-drive to explore more. He returned to Sydney, worked longer and saved for a Land Rover. Then he was on the road again and for the past 47 years, he and his wife Pat have called Northampton home. “Not a local yet, you have to be second generation to be such,” Mr Macdonald said. But the locals regard him as “a local” , especially when it comes to talking about mining. “See George Macdonald,” they tell you at the Northampton Visitor Centre. In fact, they say the same all over town if it’s mining history you want to know. Mr Macdonald made his living as an exploration supervisor. He had everything to do with mineral exploration, including setting up camps, looking after earthmoving equipment which built roads and tracks, and being in charge of geological survey teams and drilling equipment. Now retired, he talks, and paints, old mines. The shed in his backyard in Northampton is full of painted mining history.