This is the story of ultimate success through talent and hard work achieved against the background of a dislocated childhood. Born Hans, he became known as Walter, and inevitably, in the mining industry as “Wally” Fander.

The author met Wally through their common interest in Choral music. For many years he sang tenor and she alto in the Adelaide Chorus. They also shared a common interest in China. Her first husband was a Sydney born Chinese. Wally had been raised in China, in Shanghai and Beijing.

His tales of life in China during the nineteen thirties and forties fascinated her. He had been a choir boy at the Cathedral School for boys in Shanghai. Being bi-lingual in German and English, he had been involved in British intelligence in Germany, during the Cold War. His early life had been one of struggle and adventure, yet he had succeeded in his chosen profession, and had run his own successful business for over thirty years. In spite of all setbacks, personal tragedy and starting with nothing, he was now a respected consultant to the mining industry.