Donald Robert (Don) Watson was born in Brisbane on 3 June 1945. In 1963 he won the Open Scholarship to undertake the University of Queensland’s Bachelor of Architecture degree. While studying part-time he worked with Lund Hutton Black and Paulsen (1963 to 1964) and was employed by James Birrell and Partners (1967 to 1969). After graduating Watson worked for Hayes and Scott (Brisbane), 1970; AB Waters and Associates (London), 1971; Geoffrey Pie and Associates (Brisbane), 1972 to 1974. After acquiring a house in South Brisbane in 1974, Watson developed an interest in local architectural history and began research for the book The Queensland House for the National Trust of Queensland. From 1975 to 1979 he practiced as an architectural consultant in Brisbane. From 1979 to 1989 Watson was employed in half- and full-time capacities as a lecturer in the University of Queensland's Department of Architecture.

Judith McKay, professional historian and curator, undertook her studies in Fine Arts at the Universities of Melbourne and Sydney and completed her PhD in History at the University of Queensland in 1996. She has been a curator at the Australian War Memorial and the Queensland Museum and a consultant for a National Estate study of war memorials in Queensland. Since the mid-1980’s McKay has published several works focusing on Queensland’s architectural heritage, women artists and culinary history.