Ruby De Satge was born on the Georgina river, in the Urandangi area. She was the granddaughter of
Oscar De Satge, who was a prominent Australian pastoralist during the mid to late 1800s. At an early age, Ruby learnt to drove and help her father in his work. In her early 20s she was employed and then adopted by a contractor and his family, with whom for many years she drove cattle throughout Queensland, New South Wales and the Northern Territory. It was during this time that Ruby witnessed the exploitation and neglect of Aboriginal people. These experiences greatly impacted on her life.
