After graduating with a BSc (Hons) in chemistry from La Trobe University in 1981 Gary worked as an industrial chemist in the surface coating industry developing coatings and inks for the packing and printing industry. A downturn in that industry enabled Gary to further pursue studies in horticulture at Burnley College (University of Melbourne). After graduating with a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Science (Horticulture) in 2002, Gary received a scholarship to study a Master in Agriculture in the faculty of Land and Food at the University of Melbourne. During this period Gary developed an interest in the challenges of crop production on the heavy soils of south-western Victoria. This culminated in a PhD study "Managing subsoil constraints for increased productivity and water use efficiency" co-supervised by Dr Peter Sale and Professor C Tang. This was completed in 2010.