Stephen Measday & Paul Sironen

Stephen Measday has written fourteen children's and young adult books and is an award-winning scriptwriter.

Born in Adelaide, at sixteen he was appointed ABC correspondent for Crystal Brook, in South Australia. Soon after, he joined the national broadcaster full-time and worked for eight years as a reporter before turning to professional writing.

Four of his books, A Pig Called Francis Bacon, Roger Bacon Reporting, Bringing Home the Bacon and The News They Didn't Use, have been listed as Notable Books by the Children's Book Council of Australia and he won an Australian Writers Guild (Awgie) Award for the original radio drama series Partners. His scriptwriting work has also included Blue Heelers, A Country Practice and Hi-5.

Stephen also runs creative writing workshops for primary, secondary and tertiary students and adults. He lives in the Blue Mountains.

Rugby league legend Paul Sironen played for the (then) Balmain Tigers, NSW and Australia, including 246 first-grade games (a record for the club), 14 State of Origin and 49 internationals.

Respected for big hits and toughness on the field, Sirro is also well-known for his charity work. After a career in the police force, he now works as a fundraising manager for Krispy Kreme. He remains involved with rugby league, sitting on the board of Wests Tigers and coaching his son's team.

He lives in north-west Sydney with his wife Lee-Anne and their two sons Curtis and Bayley.

Pan Macmillan Australia

Stephen Measday & Paul Sironen