Don was born in Marina Gioiosa Ionica, Reggio Calabria, Italy in 1950. He left school in Italy at 13, to pursue a barber apprenticeship then migrated to Australia in 1968, aged 18.

In Adelaide, he worked as a barber, and was soon awarded Australia’s youngest Master Barber and Hairdresser. In 1974, the rest of the family - Don’s father, mother and sister - arrived in Australia, he sold the barber shop and opened a family pizza bar called Lick ‘a’ Chick in the Findon area.

In the ensuing years, he invested in a range of businesses, including founding Festival City Wines and Spirits, which has evolved into one of South Australia’s biggest import, export, manufacturing retail and wholesale food, liquor and food equipment businesses.

Throughout his professional life, Don has also made major personal and financial contributions to a range of charitable and sporting organisations.

He has been involved in fundraising for St Anne’s Special School, SPARC Disability Foundation, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Oncology Unit, Youthinc., and the Robinson Institute Foundation.

He has founded a number of Italian fundraising and social ventures, including the Festival City Challenge Cup Golf Tournament and the Italian Fundraising Evening for the Port Adelaide Football Club. He was a sponsor for many years of Adelaide City Soccer Club.

As Chairman of the St Hilarion Building Appeal, Don, along with other associates, has helped raise close to $2 million of the target of $3 million.

His other business and community roles have included:

• Vice-President, National Council, Italian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Australia, 2000-2005;

• President, SA Division, Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Australia, 1997-2004; Board Member, 1995-Current; Member, since 1986;

• Vice-Chairman, Associazione Beneficienzi Calabresi, SA;

• Co-Founder, Italian Golf Club and Founder of the Festival Challenge Cup played across four States.

• President, Radio Television Italiana.

In 2003, Don was made a Cavaliere dell'Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana. Six years later, he was Awarded Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic – the third highest ranking in the order of Merits, for his continued service in the business and charity fields.

Don was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for service to the Italian community, particularly through promoting commerce and industry, and as a supporter of a range of charitable organisations, in 2007.