Born and educated in Brisbane, obtaining a nursing qualification in 1970, Mrs Pauling went on to work as a Surgical and Emergency nurse at the Darwin Hospital until 1972 where she then travelled to London and worked within St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington. After a year she returned to Darwin Hospital until 1978. Mrs Pauling has been active in the Territory art scene as a freelance actor and director and the Co-Patron of the Darwin Theatre Company.