I have always loved to draw, and have done so since early childhood. My Dad sketched, and I know that his interest and praise of my early attempts made me even more determined to practice. At seven years of age I won First Prize for my flower drawing for the local Floral Festival (Mildura, Victoria), and I felt so proud. I kept on drawing a lot, often to the annoyance of my teachers. I decorated every page of every subject in my class books.
At the start of secondary school (Ballarat High) I submitted some drawings to the Ballarat School of Mines Art Department, and received an ongoing position to
