Morris West (1916–1999) was born in Australia, but lived for extended periods in Italy, Austria, England and the USA. West started writing novels in the 1950s. He is the author of thirty novels and has sold more than 60 million copies of his books worldwide in over twenty-seven languages. West helped to found the Australian Society of Authors, was chairman of the National Book Council, chairman of the National Library of Australia and a fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science. He was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1997. West also wrote screenplays, radio dramas, plays and was also an artist.
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.