The Mallee Girl

Chapter 2

Thank you to my publisher at Penguin Random House, Ali Watts, for enthusiastically embracing this story. Thanks to my editor Grace Arlov and the rest of the publishing team. Thanks also to my agent, Clare Forster of Curtis Brown, for her wisdom and practical support.

Thank you to my literary friends, talented writers all, who encourage me and understand like nobody else the joys and pitfalls of this journey. A special thanks to Julia Carp and Toby Green for some cultural advice in the writing of this novel.

Thank you to the brave women battling and triumphing over domestic violence. I met many of you during my former life as a lawyer, and I never ceased to be amazed by your courage.

Thank you to Elyne Mitchell. Elyne inspired my love of our high country brumbies back when I was a bookworm of a child. Her magnificent writing still inspires me.

Thank you to my patient family for putting up with the time I’m locked away writing, and for believing in me. I am forever grateful.

And last but not least, thanks to my animals – my horses, dogs, cats, chooks and heritage Southdown babydoll sheep. I can’t imagine life without you.