The Australian version was written by Jack Cousins, about Annie Thwaites, who was a schoolgirl friend of Elizabeth Jamieson, the grandmother of folk singer David Lumsden. Elizabeth used to sing the song at family gatherings.

Marti Wyndham-Read learnt it from David at Frank Traynor's Folk Club in Melbourne, and then recorded it, which is how it became known around the world.

David's account of the origins of the song can be found here:

http://www.franktraynors.net.au/performers-at-traynors/david-lumsden