Ray Stuart spent most of his working life in the army, including some years in Papua New Guinea. He moved to Adelaide in the 1990s, setting up an equestrian centre and a horticultural business, and for many years writing a monthly column on horticulture. With the encouragement of Nancy Keesing and Martin Langford, Stuart began writing poetry in earnest in 1990. An enthusiastic member of Friendly Street Poets, Stuart was at one time convenor of the group. In 1994 he won Friendly Street's Satura Prize.
