June Porter, born June Perry on 20 March 1919 in Melbourne, grew up in Perth. Always at the heart of the social scene, at the age of twenty she met and fell in love with polo-playing businessman Tom Porter. After a whirlwind courtship they married, and by curious twists of fate spent the last years of World War II in India. After the war, the Porters settled in Tom's home town of Adelaide, where Lady Porter took her place at the heart of public life, becoming Lady Mayoress between 1968 and 1971, and a founding board member of the Australian Ballet Company. Lady Porter lives now in North Adelaide, still determined to embrace every opportunity that comes her way.
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'June Porter's autobiography is an elegantly written and fascinating first-hand account of a fairytale life and the last days of the British Raj … Her memories of this time are vivid and she paints marvellous pictures of this bygone age, the exotic country, and the fascinating and eccentric people she met there … a lively and elegant portrait, because Lady Porter excels at revealing the spirit of time and place. India, with its mystical charm, is wonderfully rendered. So, too, are the author's encounters with the rich, famous, accomplished and powerful. All the stories in this biography are told with grace, intelligence and an innate beauty. Lady Porter is a remarkable lady and a beautiful soul, and hers is a blessed and charmed life which helps make Can a Duck Swim? an extraordinary read.' - Stephen Davenport, Indaily
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'An inspirational and fascinating read.' 4 stars - Fotini Dangiris, Good Reading
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'Can a Duck Swim? is a beautifully presented book … an excellent memoir.' - Maggie Tate, Global Media Post