Talking about self does not come easily to everyone. To allow someone to cast their judgement through a biography and tell the story of your personal moments and life journey is a leap of faith that is hard to match. If I had known more clearly the extent of the privilege in the context of Sue Alberti’s preference for privacy, I may not have approached her in the first place. But I’m glad I did.
The greatest acknowledgement must go to Sue for being willing to share her story and so be examined, questioned and challenged. Thank you Sue for participating so cheerfully and for giving up many hours of your precious time to be interviewed, for agreeing to be accompanied on drives to appointments and flights to meetings where the questions never stopped. For such an intensely private and modest person, I understand that this was more difficult than people may imagine. Thank you for your courage and generosity.
Many thanks to Colin North for the ongoing support, subtle encouragement, unfailingly prompt responses, kindness, humour and consistently constructive feedback. Similarly, much gratitude goes to the SAMRF team, Elda Basso, Sue Le Fevre and Melissa Chavulak, who were always eager to support and provide prompt assistance. A special mention—perhaps the book Brownlow—goes to Leesa Catto for being amazingly energetic and always so radiant and inclusive. Heartfelt appreciation also goes to Cam Rose for sage advice and incredibly helpful guidance. I really appreciate the maverick insights, and kind encouragement throughout the process.
Huge love and thanks to my husband Robin for reviewing countless drafts and engaging in endless thematic conversations. Big hugs to our three patient and supportive children for tolerating non-stop book talk in our household for what must have felt like your ‘whole entire lives’. Special thanks to ‘favourite Uncle Steve’ Harnetty for the practical feedback—I owe you a Japanese dinner and a bottle of Sapporo. And thanks to Alison McLeod for the eleventh-hour marathon reading session that resulted from a casual coffee meeting.
I am beyond grateful to the team at MUP, who are all marvellous—from Louise Adler’s passion and professionalism, to Sally Heath, the calmest person on the planet, who makes everything seem easy, and Paul Smitz for understanding the complexities, making every word count, and really caring about the project. Also Louise Stirling for taking the project management baton and making it all seamless and Emma Rusher for the ideas and energy to the very end. I sincerely hope we will all work together again.
Particular thanks to everyone who so kindly agreed to be interviewed and make such a valuable contribution to this story of Susan Alberti (see the list of contributors that follows). You are all an important aspect of Sue’s journey and I was humbled to witness the mutual selflessness in the relationships you all have with Sue. I know she deeply appreciates the friendship with each of you.
It has been a joy to be involved with everyone around Susan Alberti. That’s the effect she has.