I would like to thank readers Karen Ferris and Ruth Quibell for their kindness and support in reading the manuscript at a very early stage in a time of chaos.
I would also like to acknowledge the generosity of spirit and keen-eyedness of Lucy Treloar, who read a later draft of the book. Her support and suggestions were invaluable.
I’d also like to thank Melissa Harrison for sharing the story of the entwined trees above and to Hilary Davidson for sharing her vast knowledge on shoes. I’d also like to thank Grace Karskens for taking the time to discuss with me the Indigenous history of the Darug people of Pugh’s Lagoon at Richmond, NSW.
I would like to thank James Kellow, Shona Martyn and Pam Dunne and all the team at HarperCollins Australia.
With gratitude to both my editor and publisher, Julia Stiles and Catherine Milne. To Julia Stiles for her sensitive, astute and enlightening work on The River Sings; if it sings, it is because of her. And to Catherine Milne for her passion, belief and commitment to this book when it was just a mere unloved sapling. Her insight and care are a treasured gift.
And lastly, I would like to acknowledge The First Nations people of Sydney, the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of this land, and pay my respects to the Elders both past and present – on this land, this novel was written.