Red Dirt Odyssey

Chapter 2

Amanda Apthorpe believed in this book from the beginning. She was a critical but supportive mentor throughout its development, and it owes much to her insight. Helen Goltz generously took the book on, even though she knew nothing about me, and it has been a pleasure to work with her to bring it to completion. My daughters, Teresa and Marie, were critical friends of the book from the first, reading drafts and giving suggestions, many of which I have used. Thank you both. My sons, Michael and John, appear in different guises in the book, and my husband David was a quiet, solid presence as I sunk months of my life into it. In the Kimberley, David and I met many memorable characters, and in various ways, they have influenced the story. We love the Kimberley and hope to return there often. Finally, I want to acknowledge our beloved Jack Russell dog, Chester, now deceased, who appears in the story as Matey.