To the people who have helped me during the writing process:
Geoff Grewar, who supplied me with the ‘1917 Report on the Royal Commission on the Mallee Belt and Esperance Lands’ and a 1937 Agricultural Journal.
Don Voigt, who spent time in the Esperance museum with me, helping find the information I needed on the pioneering days. His book Old Esperance – pictorial history 1894 – 1947 was particularly helpful. It was wonderful see photos from earlier times and they helped give me a feel for that era.
Tom Riemers, who, with his wife Jean, is not only a surrogate grandparent to our children, but has a wealth of knowledge about pioneering times. (Although Tom did keep reminding me, that the time I was asking about, he was only two!)
Doctor David Swan from Swan’s Vet Services, who read pieces of the book for its authenticity, as well as Julia from Genstock, and Geoff Grewar, who did the same.
To my long-time friend Kate Biggins, who helped me with the paramedic knowledge.
To John Doyle, who was the winner of the That’s Life competition. I used his entry ‘Paringa’ as Adrian’s farm name. I would also like to thank everyone who entered.
Thanks to Mum, Dad, Nicholas, Ellie, Suz, Nathan, Mrs McDonald, Sharon and Ron, for your love, support and interest. I couldn’t do what I do without you all.
To Gill: books, good food and wine – what more could a friend need?
To my amazing mates, who have hearts bigger than the Australian outback: Amanda, Carolyn, Gill, Marie, Robyn, sister Suz, Tiff and Victoria (alphabetical order, girls!). Your help, whether it was babysitting, plotthickening, reading the first draft, editing or just being there, is the reason this book has managed to make it this far. I couldn’t have done it without you.
To Mrs Mackay, you are always there and I can’t thank you enough. Thank you to the whole Mackay family for allowing Mr Mackay’s name to be used. He was so very precious, as you all are, to the Parnell family (and now the McDonalds). Thanks also for brainstorming for the ‘right’ word, around your dinner table, when I just can’t get it!
To Nyssa at Nixel Web Design, thanks for all your wonderful work.
Shelley, once again, thank you for spending your time to edit – it makes a difference.
To Ali Lavau, for editing Blue Skies. Thank you. I love learning from you and it’s only because of your input that Blue Skies became readable!
I have been so fortunate to meet three wonderful women: Louise Thurtell, Siobhán Cantrill and Kate Hyde, from Allen and Unwin, who have not only helped me in creating the best possible book, but who have become people whom I’m privileged to call friends.
Thanks be to God for giving me the gift of writing and for being my saviour.
Blue Skies Page 23
