Dr Gallagher's professional life began at high schools in Western Australia (1965), after which (1970), he joined the Commonwealth Public service. Much later, (1974), he became a Foreign Expert at Peking University.Annette, the author's wife of 47 years, passed away in 2014. His son has two daughters, and his daughter a son and two daughters. The grandchildren are all gorgeous.Preferring to burn out, not to rust out in retirement, he continues to write and teach English gratis.