The Shiralee

D'Arcy Francis Niland (1917–1967) was an Australian novelist and short story writer best known for The Shiralee. Born in Glen Innes, New South Wales, he spent much of his boyhood travelling with his Irish father. He began work as a copyboy on the Sydney Sun but soon left to travel the country. He led an adventurous life, working in a wide variety of jobs – as an opal miner, circus hand, stevedore and woolshed rouseabout.

James Condon has worked in Australian television since its pioneering days. He is one of Australia's most experienced and widely known actors and has appeared in a great many Australian television dramas, including A Country Practice, Neighbours, Carson's Law, and Blue Heelers. James narrated the 1992 and 1995 TDK Australian Audio Books of the year.