Doonie is the last of the full-blooded Aboriginals left in Menindee. Robin was born on the Menindee Mission to Bridget and Jim Boy Murray, his grandfather George Murray was the last ‘King’ of the Ngiyampaa Tribe.

Doonie still speaks fondly of his uncle Geordie Murray who was a ‘clever man’. Geordie had lived at Carowa Tank Mission — but outside the Mission fence. He was associated with the move of the Carowra Tank people to Menindee in 1933, when the mission tank dried up.

Robin’s mother died when he was a young boy and he and his brother Freddy were adopted and lived with Jack and Louisa Kelly (his uncle and aunt).

Robin and Freddy grew up with Jack and Louisa’s kids, their cousins Ron, Jack, Merry, Danny, Amos, Margaret, Beryl and Bridget Kelly.

Doonie attended Menindee Central School and after leaving school he went droving (sometimes along with Willy Philp) and worked as a stockman in the Tibooburra and surrounding areas.

In the late 1970s, Doonie was severely burnt after accidentally rolling into a fire. Doonie had to endure several painful skin grafts. By this time his brother Freddy had died as a result of a heart attack in his early thirties.

On returning home from hospital to Menindee, Doonie set up his home on the Old Reserve. He continued to live on the Reserve until the early 1980s when he moved from the Reserve to the Menindee township.

Doonie was unable to continue working after his accident but he fondly remembered his days droving when he mustered sheep and broke horses.

Doonie never married and continues to live alone in Menindee but he is surrounded by family and friends. He used to love driving cars, watching television and playing pool.

From the book Menindee’s Unsung Aboriginal Heroes Menindee Central School