Ned Manning Ned Manning i(A29877 works by)
Born: Established: 1950 ;
Gender: Male
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Works By

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1 Lighting the Fire Ned Manning Ned Manning , 2023 single work autobiography
— Appears in: Teacher, Teacher : Stories of Inspirational Educators 2023;
1 1 y separately published work icon Painting the Light Ned Manning , New South Wales : Broadcast Books , 2022 24807693 2022 single work novel

'Painting the Light is an expansive historical Australian novel and a touching and realistic love story set before, during and after WW2. It traces the journey of two young Australians whose experience of the war leads them to rejecting their conservative upbringing and embracing the aims of a fair deal for everyone.

'Nell Hope’s dreams of becoming an artist are dashed when Hitler invades Poland. Her grazier father orders her home from Paris, and so she swaps her paint brush for riding boots.

'Alec Murray’s loyalist instincts propel him to leave his farm in western NSW and enlist in the AIF to defend Britain against the impending Nazi threat.

'They meet in the hyper-charged atmosphere of prewar Sydney and fall in love, but their courtship is cut short when war is declared. Alec is sent to the Middle East where his eyes are opened to a new world. Far from experiencing the romanticism of war as depicted in the art and literature of the day, Alec is confronted by the reality of its horrors. When he returns on leave after two years in Palestine and Greece, he is a changed man. He is determined that if he survives the war, he will do everything in his power to create a fairer and more equitable society. To his relief he finds a fellow traveller in Nell. They are hastily married before he is sent to PNG to fight the Japanese.

'Nell discovers she is pregnant and faces the prospect of bringing a new baby into the world alone. Dreams of an artistic career seem long ago.

'When Alec is finally demobbed, the couple begin a new life on his farm near Coonabarabran, NSW. He throws himself into local politics and starts to transform Coonabarabran by creating the kind of public utilities he saw in his travels.

'Nell discovers she is pregnant again just at the time when Alec receives a call from Labor Party headquarters. A meeting with Prime Minister, Ben Chifley, results in him standing for the ALP in a safe Country Party seat. Their respective family and friends are horrified and turn their backs on the couple.

'United in the fight to create a more equitable society and to bring rural Australia into the postwar world, Nell and Alec throw everything into the election. Soon they discover they are fighting against more than their Country Party opponents, but their love and loyalty to each other grow ever stronger.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.
1 A Father's Reflection Ned Manning , 2018 single work prose
— Appears in: Mentoring : The Key to a Fairer World 2018;
1 2 y separately published work icon Playground Duty Ned Manning , Kensington : University of New South Wales Press , 2012 Z1851379 2012 single work autobiography

'In the baking heat of February 1973, wearing a purple nylon bodyshirt and an expression of confidence that belied his nerves, Ned Manning faced down a classroom full of kids in Tenterfield in remote NSW. It was the start of many years of teaching, by turns exhilarating, nerve-fraying and inspiring.

'Packed with stories of students both bored and enthusiastic, lesson plans, staff rooms and drama as studied for the HSC and lived every day, the book roams from high schools in dusty country towns to the edgy Newtown School of Performing Arts in Sydney's inner-city and a crucible of creativity at EORA Aboriginal College. Through the challenges he inevitably faces, Mr Manning finds the common thread of possibility and hope that runs through his profession.

'A funny and disarmingly honest memoir of a full life of teaching, Playground Duty has the power to rekindle a spark of glee and optimism about teachers, kids and even schools.'  (Publication summary)
1 Romeo and Juliet Intensive Ned Manning , 2010 single work drama
1 Belonging Ned Manning , 2007 single work drama
— Appears in: Short Circuit : Fourteen Short Plays for the Stage 2009; (p. 33-42)
1 1 Last One Standing Ned Manning , 2007 single work drama

'Joe's world is crumbling. Or is it? His son Bill has his best interests at heart. Or does he? Daughter Katy is flying in from New York. She knows what to do but is she acting on the truth or a lie? And what of Ruth's vision? Is it being honoured or appropriated? Do we pave paradise or live with the rot, cross our fingers and get out the liquid nails?

'Four generations of one family come to represent Australia in the new millennium. While everyone is busy trying to do the right thing Joe realises what it will take to realise the truth, honour the spirit and secure the title of Last One Standing.'

Old Fitzroy Theatre website, http://www.oldfitzroy.com.au/
Sighted: 10/04/2007
1 1 y separately published work icon Luck of the Draw Ned Manning , Kooemba Jdarra Indigenous Performing Arts Company , Strawberry Hills Brisbane : Kooemba Jdarra Indigenous Performing Arts Company Currency Press , 2000 Z668398 2000 single work drama 'A young Aboriginal woman, Annie, and her brother, Pat, escape from their respective "Homes" in the 1940's and find their way to a Mission on the South Coast of NSW. The first half of the play explores their attempts to survive in what is often an oppressive environment. In Act 2, twenty years later, the play follows Annie's daughter Pearl as she attempts to come to terms with her Aboriginality and then is encouraged to re-unite with her estranged mother. The play explores questions of identity and white Australia's relationship with its Aboriginal past.' (RGM Associates website, http://www.rgm.com.au/nm_lit.html)
1 Milo Ned Manning , 1998 extract drama (Milo)
— Appears in: The Actor's Audition Manual 1998; (p. 138-140) The Actor's Audition Manual 1998; (p. 224-227)
1 4 Milo Ned Manning , 1996 single work drama
— Appears in: Kingaroy and Milo 1996; (p. 104-176) 'As Australia moves into a new millennium, two couples in their thirties wrestle with their changing relationships and their relationship with the Land. Milo, a well-meaning if misguided dreamer, battles to cope with reality whilst his partner Di, a committed social reformer, battles with the conflicting demands of relationship and career. Toby, a fourth generation farmer, struggles with the life in the 21st century whilst his wife, Peg, contemplates her future as a mother and wife. The play examines the evolving relationship in Australia between the City and the Bush and explodes a few inherent myths.' (RGM Associates website, http://www.rgm.com.au/nm_lit.html)
1 y separately published work icon Kingaroy and Milo Martin Buzacott , Ned Manning , Paddington : Currency Press , 1996 Z89622 1996 selected work drama
1 Kenny's Coming Home Ned Manning , 1991 single work drama 'A suburban family is torn apart when the head of the household's sister decides to run against him in a By-Election thus pitting new Labor against old Labor. The children are embroiled in the conflict whilst mum tries to survive the madness. Dad's trump card is the return of his footy legend son who has, unknown to him, discovered motor bikes and junk food. Chaos ensues.' (RGM Associates website, http://www.rgm.com.au/nm_lit.html)
1 4 y separately published work icon Close to the Bone Ned Manning , 1991 (Manuscript version)x401074 Z272167 1991 single work drama
1 Gods of War Ned Manning , 1990-1999 single work drama 'Drama written for schools or large community groups. Charts the lives of four young Australian men and women throughout the Second World War. The play focuses on the changing Australian identity through the protagonist's experiences at home and overseas.' (RGM Associates website, http://www.rgm.com.au/nm_lit.html)
1 1 y separately published work icon Us or Them Ned Manning , Sydney : Currency Press Griffin Theatre Company , 1984 Z72158 1984 single work drama 'Teachers and students confront each other in an uncompromising environment. The younger idealistic teachers side with the students against their more experienced and occasionally embittered senior colleagues. The System remains intractable and dehumanising for both students and teachers.' (RGM Associates website, http://www.rgm.com.au/nm_lit.html)
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