Val grew up in Ballarat and started school in the early 1940s, during World War II. Her mother was a teacher and her father worked in Melbourne on war-related business. She attended kindergarten, which she recalled was unusual for the time. She attended Humphrey Street State School and her secondary schooling was at Ballarat Girls' School. Val completed her secondary school education at 15 years of age and went on to tertiary study at The School of Mines, where she trained in art and dressmaking. After completing her education, she worked as draughtswoman before becoming a teacher. The remainder of her career was spent teaching art and textiles at both secondary and tertiary levels. She taught at the secondary school that she had attended.women of note, valda d'angri, teacher, kindergarten, humphrey street state school, ballarat girls' school, ballarat school of mines, art, dressmaking, draughtswoman