Rose Peterson studied at the University of New England and the University of Sydney. She completed a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma of Teaching. She was for many years a teacher of Ancient History at Higher School Certificate level, later teaching the same subject at adult education centres. She presented stories from Australian history on Sydney radio for two years during Australia's Bicentennial celebrations, and has worked as an interviewer and presenter on community radio, as well as guest lecturing at the University of New South Wales. She has been a committee member of the National Trust of Australia and the Sydney Opera House Trust, as well as the Chairperson of the Blake Prize for Religious Art.
