Ned Manning is a writer, actor, teacher. He has just published his first novel, Painting the Light (Broadcast Books) His non fiction book about the life of a teacher, Playground Duty, has become required reading for anyone interested in the profession. His published plays include Alice Dreaming (Cambridge University Press); Luck of the Draw, Close to the Bone, Milo, Kenny's Coming Home and Us or Them (Currency Press). Other plays are found at AustralianPlays.org He has appeared in many Australian films and television shows including the cult hit movie, Dead End Drive In, Looking for Alibrandi, Bodyline, The Shiralee, The Farm, Aftershocks and, most recently, Mr Inbetween.