Donald Robertson was born in the Scottish Highlands, and grew up in the steel towns of Corby, England; and Whyalla, South Australia. After graduating from the University of Adelaide, he co-founded and published the Australian music and arts magazine Roadrunner (1978-83); and was editor of Countdown Magazine (1983-86). In a 25-year public service career between 1988 and 2013, he was variously publisher, manager media and public relations and digital publisher at Australia's media and communications regulator.