Don would become the champion of New South Wales many times over. In a 12 year period in the 1970s and 1980s he would win national titles with 200kg lifts. His Australian snatch lift record stood for 13 years. The pinnacle of Don's sporting career came in 1980 when he would finish seventh at the Moscow Olympic Games.
- Status: Pending1977Commonwealth Ranking In 110 kg Class (Heavyweight). 4th place.
- Status: Pending1977 to 1981Australian and NSW Heavyweight Weight Lifting Champion.
- Status: Pending1976Auckland Australasian Weightlifting Championships. Silver Medal.
- Status: Pending1980Moscow Olympic Games 110 Kg Heavyweight Weightlifting. 7th place.
Beginnings
Don was born and educated in the district and would reside in McGirr Street, Padstow until just after the 1980 Olympic Games. He was a product of the South Bankstown YMCA (Revesby) and at a later stage of the Burwood Police Boys Club.
Achievements
In 1982 Don was selected for the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane but on doctor's advice he retired from the sport at competition level as a cracked vertebrae he sustained post the 1980 Olympics had not healed due to the extreme stress on his body. Don's profile is on the postage stamp issued for the 1982 Commonwealth Games.
Post Representation
Don was an exceptional sporting and educational leader. He has held management positions in the Department of Education. He was involved in the Academy of Western Sydney Sport and the NSW Institute of Sport and served as a director of the ANZ Stadium (the former Sydney Olympic stadium). Mitchell died in November 2010 just three months after being appointed principal of the Wingham High School.