The editors wish to thank a number of individuals and agencies that assisted in the production of this volume.
To all the authors who entrusted their issue to us and endured our repeated interference with it, we owe great thanks. Without their contribution the volume would not achieve the standard that it does.
To the Office of the Board of Studies NSW we are indebted for supporting community writers – many of whom had never had the opportunity to publish before – for facilitating the concept and much of the process, and affording Kevin Lowe and Susan Poetsch the opportunity to pursue the project in the first place.
To both the Koori Centre and the Department of Linguistics at the University of Sydney for providing John Hobson and Michael Walsh the freedom to undertake this endeavour, we also extend our thanks.
To the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, and particularly the always supportive Anthony Seiver, we wish to express our great appreciation for the generous provision of funds towards publication costs.
To Jeanie Bell thanks are also due for graciously providing the foreword. It is a privilege to carry the endorsement of an Aboriginal academic and community member who has worked so long and tirelessly for Australian languages.
To Lynette Riley we are particularly appreciative for the opportunity to use the cover of the volume to display her most impressive artistry that draws on her Wiradjuri tradition.
And finally, to Nezmia Hay, for nursing the editorial team along through the early stages of her and our confinement we are especially grateful. She showed great patience and tolerance with us no matter how annoying and persistent we became, and is clearly destined to make a wonderful mother.