I was born in Adelaide, South Australia, in the summer of 1952. On the day I was born my father rode his bicycle to the hospital and lost his pay packet from his trousers’ pocket. Since that day he says I have been in his debt.

I was educated by the state education system at Trinity Gardens Primary School, Glenelg Primary School, Brighton High School and then Flinders University.

My first twenty-four years were lived as a city dweller. In 1976, however, I volunteered to move to the country to begin a teaching career. Since then I have taught English, history, media studies and vocational education at Kadina Memorial High School, Pt Broughton Area School and The Open Access College (a school of distance education).

I have lived in three small country towns; Alford, Wallaroo and Willunga. Each town is only a few kilometres from a long flat beach and gentle gulf waves.

Since 1993 I have worked three and a half days a week for the education department. I commute to work by train and O-Bahn. I enjoy using public transport because it gives me time to sit and think and read and do my research.

I also work three and a half days a week for myself, researching, writing, painting and illustrating books. At home I work in a studio that I call “the shed”.

My registered business name is Freerange Enterprises and my logo is the white-backed magpie.