This monograph is based on research conducted for my PhD. First and foremost I would like to thank my supervisor Susan Lawrence whose dedicated readings of this text, enthusiasm and support were a real blessing. I would also like to thank my co-supervisor Peter Davies for keeping me on track and also for his input on turning my thesis into this monograph. I am indebted to La Trobe University who supplied the scholarship that made my PhD research possible. Reconceptualising my thesis into this volume was largely done in my current role as a Research Fellow on the Australian Research Council funded Suburban Archaeology project held jointly by La Trobe University, Deakin University and the University of Melbourne.
I also thank all the Archaeology Department staff, particularly Katherine Katsoris, Rudy Frank, Ros Allen and Jenna Thurlow. I would also like to thank the dedicated team of volunteers from La Trobe who assisted with cataloguing the assemblage. Original maps have been produced by Wei Ming and I thank him for his work typesetting this volume.
At Heritage Victoria, I would like to thank Jeremy Smith, Leah McKenzie and Annie Muir who provided me with the necessary background to the Viewbank excavation, access to the assemblage and a place to catalogue. Thanks also to Ilka Schacht for her help with Access databases, and many detailed discussions on artefacts and cataloguing.
Particular thanks as always to Noriaki Sato for his assistance with the theoretical framework of this project, proofing drafts, and for continuing to challenge me. xii