Maria Augustus-Dunn was born in Melbourne, Australia in 1961 and grew up in Reservoir, in the Northern suburbs of Melbourne. She married Brad, the love of her life, in 1990.

In 2011 both Maria and Brad retired at the age of 50 and opted for life as grey nomads, travelling the highways and byways of Australia, with no plans to stop. They have no children, but have plenty of nieces and nephews to dote on and even have great-nieces and great-nephews!

Maria enjoys doing tarot card readings, travelling, reading, writing, bushwalking and trying things that are well out of her comfort zone. She loves spending time with family and friends, and can talk the leg off a chair!