Raised in Darwin, Northern Territory, Ant attended Casuarina High School as a student of the music curriculum, studying trombone, euphoneum, piano and choir. After a brief dalliance with the Commonwealth Bank and the CSIRO, a Community Arts Worker position was secured at Browns Mart Community Arts Centre. As part of his duties at Browns Mart, Ant went on tour as technical support through all the settlements of Arnhem Land with Kids Convoy, a children's entertainment show.