Ruth Park (1922-2010) was a well-known New Zealand-born Australian author. She wrote for all ages, from classic children's picture books like 'The Muddle-headed Wombat', teen and young adult novels, 'Playing Beatie Bow', 'The Harp in the South', 'Poor Man's Orange' and her 1977 Miles Franklin award winning book, 'Swords and Crowns and Kings'. Ruth Park and her husband, writer D'Arcy Niland (1917-1967) also wrote short stories, television and radio scripts and advertising jingles.
Ruth Park's death was announced today on 17 December 2010. Information provided by the State Library of NSW.
For more details about Ruth Park read this report from the ABC
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/17/3095637.htm?section=justin