Ernie's parents were from different stations, his father was from Mt. Augustus Station and his mother Marie was from Bidgiemia Station. He was born at Mt. Phillip Station and ran away from Ingada Mission when he was sent there. He was reunited with his father Jim Edney on the outskirts of their homeland and began working at the early age of 9. Ernie learnt a wide variety of jobs mustering, yard building and fixing different things around farms. When Ernie was older he went back into town but kept getting into trouble until one of his uncles sent for him to go back out into the bush. He met his wife at Gascoyne Junction and had several children. Ernie's father Jim Edney trained him in the profession of being a Dogger and Ernie has developed a high degree of skill in his profession over the years.