I grew up in Adelaide, South Australia, graduating in mathematics and biology at Flinders University and later a PhD in evolution from the University of Tasmania. My interest in evolution started with some topics in mathematical biology and continued with various authors such as John Maynard Smith, Konrad Lorenz, and Richard Dawkins. I first worked in Melbourne in mathematics/computing for the mining company Rio Tinto, and then transferred to a similar position at Bougainville Copper, on Bougainville Island, an island off the coast of Papua New Guinea where I stayed for eight years.
My next move was to Tasmania where I worked, first teaching mathematics and then as an scientist for CSIRO and involved in the mathematical modelling of ocean currents. At the same time I became interested in environmental issues and did voluntary work for the Wilderness Society. I also became interested in alternative architecture building two houses, the first of stone and a second of mud brick. I currently live in Adelaide.
