Barrie Brennan grew up in Sydney and was the first member of his family to attend university. He completed a BA and DipEd at Sydney University. He taught English and History in secondary schools, primarily in rural areas. During this time he completed his LittB (re-named an MLitt) and MA (Hons) in the field of Educational Administration through distance learning at the University of New England. He was then appointed as an academic in the UNE's Department of Continuing Education. In the early 1980s, after overseas study leave, he became interested in CPE when a physiotherapist from Queensland enrolled in the UNE Post-graduate Diploma in Continuing Education in order to fulfil her role as the Co-ordinator of CPE for the Australian Physiotherapy Association in Queensland. This event marked the beginning of an exploration that involved Australia and its professions, culminating with the recording of how CPE became CPD and part of a national system for the registration of professionals.