To Ride the Wind (45 page)
Authors: Peter Watt
A
few readers have contacted me to say that they enjoy reading the acknowledgments because it is like an author’s newsletter. I guess in many ways I could also call this section my annual report to readers.
To start with I would like to thank my publisher, Cate Paterson, for her ongoing support, and congratulate Cate on her new position as head of the publishing department at Pan Macmillan. Fortunately, James Fraser, whose position Cate has gone into, will still be around so that I can shout him a cold ale when I am in Sydney. Over the years, James has always been one of my strongest supporters and I want to thank him for that.
When it comes to the hard miles developing a novel, Catherine Day works just as hard as I do on the manuscript and my heartfelt thanks to Catherine for her wonderful style of editing.
In the publicity department I have lost my dear friend Jane Novak to fresh fields but would like to acknowledge all those years we spent on the road, putting our livers at risk with the many functions we attended from one end of Australia to the other. So now a welcome to Louise Cornegé, who has joined Pan Macmillan, and a promise I will ensure her liver does not suffer as did Jane’s and mine.
A special thank you to my old friend and agent, Geoffrey Radford, for his ongoing support. As each year passes I appreciate his efforts even more.
To the three men working on the
Frontier
project – Irvin Rockman, CBE, and Rod and Brett Hardy – my very special thanks for all the truly professional work that has gone into developing the concept for television. It will only be a matter of time.
Congratulations to Kevin Jones, OAM, for receiving overdue recognition this year with his award in the Australia Day honours list. Needless to say, Maureen and family also deserve to wear the medal for all their support of Kevin’s hours away from home while serving the community.
Congratulations also go to my old mate Larry Gilles for becoming an Aussie citizen. He is the only Yank I know who puts half a jar of vegemite on his toast and on those grounds alone I think the government decided to grant him citizenship.
I would like to thank a wonderful young lady, Kristie Hilderbrand, for setting up a Facebook website for my readers. Kristie has provided a means for me to keep readers up to date with news, photos and prizes.
For the day-to-day support that I get from those around me I thank Jan Dean and her sister, Eve Hunt, Mick and Andrea Prowse, Fran MacGuire, Dr Louis Trichard and his wife, Christine, and John and Isabel Millington.
On a sadder note I wish to express my condolences to Col Bambrick’s family for his passing late last year. Col was a reader who served his country as a national serviceman in Vietnam.
For my old mate John Blackler, APM, and his wonderful wife, Judy, my thanks for all the research material you have sent. John is one of the most prominent former policemen whose academic and practical work has added so much to the field of criminology.
A special thank you to an Australian icon, Kay Cottee, AO, for her compassionate care of my dear sister, Kerry McKee, whose health has deteriorated. Kay still has her love for the sea with her vital work in marine rescue.
And last but not least, a mention of author colleagues Dave Sabben, MG, Tony Park, Steve Horne and Simon Higgins; a thank you for your friendship and many shared bottles of red wine.
For Naomi, these acknowledgments and the books I write would not exist without your love and support.
Postscript
As many of my friends have been recognised by Australia for their service above and beyond what is required, I am providing this explanation to those not familiar with post-nominals.
CBE
Commander of the Order of the British Empire. For Irvin’s services to the Australian community.
MG
Medal for Gallantry. For Dave’s service as a platoon commander during the battle of Long Tan. He is also an author.
AO
Officer of the Order of Australia. Kay was the first woman to complete a solo, non-stop circumnavigation of the world. She is also an author.
APM
Australian Police Medal. Awarded to John for his considerable and distinguished service to the NSW Police. He is also an author.
OAM
Medal of the Order of Australia. For Kevin’s long and important voluntary service to many communities that he has lived in over the years.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
