Ken Simpson was educated at University High School, Victoria, and has had a life-long interest in natural history. His career as a Research Technician in several institutions later led to a position as Lecturer in Primary Science at Deakin University. He is the author of Birds in Bass Strait (1972) and co-author of Birdwatching in Australia and New Zealand (with Zoe Wilson, 1998). Ken is a Past President and Honorary Life Member of the Bird Observers Club of Australia, the recipient of the Honorary degree, Master of Science, from Monash University (1974) and the Australian Natural History Medallion (1996).