Give It a Go: The biography of a cowboy psychologist

A fascinating account of a sickly child with endemic asthma, who struggled through school and teens to become a musician, a trick rider, a sculptor and a professional psychologist. His wide experience in many fields, such as youth disability, marriage problems and career counselling, provides a wealth of anecdotes and insights into human nature.

His life ranged from managing a guest house, escorting Junior Farmers to Timor, to setting up the Family Court Counselling service in Brisbane before retiring to the Gold Coast. There he became president of the Gold Coast Sculpture Society as well as teaching clay sculpture. Derek has edited and published his father’s war diary When You Haven’t Got a Gun and undertaken programs mentoring trainee psychologists

This book provides an engrossing time capsule of life after WWII to modern times, in both city and country.