Refuge

by Richard Rossiter

  I am grateful for the comments, observations and support of Robyn Mundy, Portland Jones and Tom Rossiter. Special thanks to Amanda Curtin, Vahri McKenzie and Danielle Wood, whose insights have made all the difference.

  This book is dedicated to two people, one living, one not. To my partner, Britta Kuhlenbeck, whose advice and understanding breathed life into the character of Greta (who is not Britta). Much of the novel is set, loosely, on a bush block—and the surrounding environment—on Juniper Road in the south-west of Western Australia. The man behind the address is Geoffrey Juniper (1931–2016), a wonderful friend, fisherman, craftsman. His spirit permeates the most optimistic aspects of this novel.

  My thanks to Julian Welch for his astute copyedit of the manuscript, and to Caroline Juniper for the contribution of the wonderful cover. For the ongoing support of Terri-ann White and UWA Publishing—including the Charles and Joy Staples South West Region Publications Fund—I am most grateful.