Ethel Harriet Raybould was born on 31 July 1899 in Brisbane, Queensland.[1] She was brought up in Paddington, Brisbane While a student at Petrie Terrace State School, the Head of the school noticed her intelligence and dedication to her studies and she was appointed a Pupil-Teacher at the age of 14, while she completed her senior school studies.[2][3] She worked as an Assistant Teacher in domestic science studies at Kangaroo Point (Girls) School, Mundubbera State School, Rockhampton High, Domestic Science High, Bulimba State School, and Central Technical College (now QUT).[4] She would attend night classes at the Central Technical College, studying physics, whilst teaching domestic science at the College during the day.[2]