The conversations, Symposium, National Workshop and explorations on which this book is based were sponsored by the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia and the Australian National University’s Water Initiative.

Individual authors also acknowledge assistance as follows:

Patrick Troy wishes to acknowledge the contributions of the five anonymous referees; Jim Walter for his guidance; and Phil Greaves for his patience and support.

Graeme Davison acknowledges the assistance of Frank Bongiorno, Miles Lewis, Richard Overell and Kimberley Webber in obtaining source material for this essay. He also thanks Katherine Rogerson  of the ACP Library for permission to reproduce the cover of The Australian Women's Weekly, 14th April 1951, and illustrations; Sandra Camden-Bermingham of Electrolux Home Products for permission to reproduce the Hoover advertisment; Australia Home Beautiful for illustrations and Victa for permission to reproduce the illustration.

Lesley Head wishes to acknowledge that The Backyard Project was funded by the Australian Research Council (DP 0211327).

Janice Gray and Alex Gardener would particularly like to thank Dr Michael Keating, Chairperson, IPART; Pamela Soon, Solicitor, IPART; Luke Woodward, Partner, Gilbert + Tobin Lawyers; Sally Walkom, Senior Policy Advisor, Sydney Water; and Ian Waters, Corporate Secretary and Solicitor, Sydney Water Corporation, whose assistance was invaluable.

All errors, omissions and misinterpretations remain those of the authors.