Ray Meagher was born on July 4 in Roma, in Western Queensland, and grew up on a sheep and cattle station.

At the age of nine Ray went to boarding school on the Gold Coast hinterland of Queensland where he was a keen sportsman and developed an interest in acting. His stage debut came at the age of 11 when he played the Wicked Witch in the school’s pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

At high school in Brisbane, Ray excelled at sports and represented his school in tennis, swimming, athletics and football. After leaving school he played Rugby Union football and represented the State of Queensland in several games.