i found another site that has Stan Walkers testimony =)
i think that this site has been a bit more helpful than the other websites I've checked.

http://behindcrossroads.blogspot.com/2009/12/australian-idol-winner-stan-walker.html

it has the story of his childhood in detail... here's a little bit of it...

'My mum got her last beating from my dad and went to church,' he says. 'She'd had enough and she refused to go back. Dad went to church to get Mum back, and his life changed. He's gone from a "Jake the Mus" to the most amazing, gentle and loving man who anybody would want as a father. My mum's now a strong, confident woman.'...