Fierce and fearless was the man who saved Four Corners from the chopping block

“Dad and I lived in a little cottage in Neutral Bay, just the two of us, for most of my childhood,” she said. “The fact that it was largely just the two of us for so long meant our bond was intensified. I went everywhere with him. With Dad, life was big. To be lived. The overwhelming feeling when you were with Dad was ‘everything will be OK’. He was my north star.

“It’s been said this week that Dad’s career was ‘colossal’ and I was born smack bang in the middle of it. But it never, not for one second, impacted his devotion to me.

“There are memories of dark, mysterious editing rooms, falling asleep under tables, decorating Ultimo offices with endless drawings, of chasing Dad down the long corridors of Radio National, which he said would make a perfect cricket pitch, of being warmly welcomed into every room by all Dad’s colleagues. But other moments stand out more now.

“Dad never believed in wasting time on the mundane. He much preferred adventure. He’d pull you out of school at the smallest opportunity for fun – trips up north to see the cousins, a holiday, a St Patrick’s celebration at an Irish pub in the city. Swimmers were kept in the boot of the car at all times, which meant Bondi swims after school were a weekly occurrence.”

Manning was a true believer in public interest journalism – especially at his beloved ABC – based on scrutinising and investigating the powerful, not getting access to them, and holding them to account. There was no interest, power or party he would not take on, usually on behalf of the underdog.

He died peacefully at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital on September 28, surrounded by family. He is survived by his partner Carole, children Paddy, Megan and Thea, and grandchildren Jude, Milo, Matilda and Audrey.

His funeral will be held at St Brigid’s Church in Marrickville on Friday, October 9.

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