Evelynne Bowden grew up on a farm at Rendelsham and has spent much of her adult life in Penola. In 1974, she began work at Penola High School as a laboratory assistant and later became Community Library Assistant. Studying externally, she gained a Library Technician's Certificate, which she upgraded to an Associate Diploma in 1988. Also studying SAS English at this time she wrote and published Christie and Ellen, a story for children. She became Local History Officer for the Penola Community Library in 1989. Her passion for local history has led her into a number of activities, including being treasurer of South East Book Promotions, secretary of Penola's 150th Committee, 1998-2000, and secretary of the Penola Branch of National Trust South Australia.