Anne grew up on a dairy farm and was educated in country Victoria, then as an exchange student in the United States.

An arts degree led her into cadet journalism. At The Age newspaper she wrote wedding reports and shopping columns, then news stories and theatre and restaurant reviews, then columns like Living in Melbourne – which became the award-winning ‘Environs’. This got her thinking about the Australian landscape.

She has worked as gardens editor for The Age (1985-97), Skillsbank coordinator for the Williamson Community Leadership program (1997-2001), and as a board member at Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. She now writes freelance and contributes to GardenDrum website.

Her books include The Natural Garden – The life and work of Ellis Stones, Kindred Spirits – A botanical correspondence, and Garden of a Lifetime – Dame Elisabeth Murdoch at Cruden Farm. Newly published is the exciting Garden Voices – Australian designers, their stories.

Being married to a skilled architect helps her to see. Working with her own garden teaches her about plants and space, fresh air and hot sun and heavy rain, disaster and delight. And about how one should always keep in mind the bigger picture, not just a garden but the spaces around it.