Left For Dead: A True Story of Resilience and Courage

Samantha Barlow, bright, bubbly and eager to help others, decided at the age of ten that she wanted nothing more than to be a police officer. The youngest new recruit in her year, she raced through the ranks and was tipped to be headed right to the top as one of the country's first female police commissioners. She won a host of medals for her courage and commitment as she battled to recover from a vicious attack in Sydney's notorious Kings Cross, from which she was left for dead.

Laurence Barlow was one of the country's most respected police officers, a man who'd spent the majority of his nearly 30 years in the force on the frontline of operational policing. His work involved helping to quell riots, ending sieges, rescuing hostages, wrestling gunmen and smashing drug rings. He worked with Samantha during the 2005 Cronulla riots, and married her the following year. At the time of the attack, he was on shift work as a Tactical Commander at the riot squad where he regularly relieved as the Commander, on call 24/7. He is still in the police force and also doing his Masters in public policy at Sydney University.

Sue Williams is an award-winning journalist and columnist. She has written for all of Australia's leading newspapers and magazines, as well as having her own opinion segment on a TV show. Born in England, she has also worked in print and TV in the UK and New Zealand and spent many years travelling around the world.

Miranda Nation is an award-winning filmmaker. Originally training as an actor, Miranda shifted her focus to writing and directing, with a strong interest in social justice and a desire to create complex contemporary roles for women.