Marie Stuart did post school study in Brazil, and returned to do a dual degree at Macquarie University in early childhood teaching and psychology. She returned to university to study further in early childhood and family therapy.

Working in the area of early childhood intervention since 1983, she started post graduate teaching in the Macquarie University Down Syndrome Early Intervention Research Programme. Becoming a mum Marie moved on to work for a number of years in long day care centres as an inclusion worker, and taught early childhood education. With post graduate family therapy study, Marie has since managed a child protection and domestic violence therapy service, provided consultancy to early childhood programs, taught in adult education facilities, and has spoken at conferences and published in the areas of early childhood, early intervention, parenting, positive discipline, child protection, protective behaviours, family support, and response to children in domestic violence and emergencies.

Key experience projects while working 12 years for Save the Children as Early Childhood Technical Advisor Pacific Region, were the development of an international strategy for the abolishment of physical and humiliating punishment, and the development of early childhood programs and policy in Australian off shore detention centres.

Marie currently sits on the executive committee for Early Childhood Australia QLD, and is the QLD representative for ARACY Early Years Chapter. Marie is registered as a certified trainer of Seasons for Growth (Grief and Loss Education Programme), Positive Discipline in Everyday Parenting and Crucial Conversations (Vital Smarts). Marie is the State Social Inclusion Coordinator QLD for Goodstart Early Learning.