Ian was born on 17 May 1943 in Una Hospital Shepparton and completed his primary school education at Toolamba West State School followed by Shepparton Technical School. While at Shepparton Technical School Ian was put to work to plough the ground to establish the school oval. He left school to work on the farm.

Some memories include, 1956 flood, steam engine driving in new bridge pylons on Mooroopna-Shepparton causeway.