Jenny Coleman - Mad or Bad?: The Life and Exploits of Amy Bock, 1859-1943

This research has taken me to many institutions where I have consistently met with helpful and professional assistance. I would like to acknowledge the support I have received from: Archives Office of Tasmania, Hobart; Bothwell Public Library, Tasmania; Convict Research Centre, Port Arthur, Tasmania; Swansea Historical Society and Swansea Museum, Tasmania; Local History Room, Wynyard, Tasmania; State Library of Tasmania, Hobart; Queen Victoria Art Gallery and Museum, Launceston, Tasmania; Gippsland Maritime Museum, Port Albert, Victoria; Hazelwood North School, Gippsland, Victoria; Morwell Public Library, Gippsland, Victoria; Sale Historical Society and Sale Historical Museum, Sale, Victoria; Sale Public Library, Sale, Victoria; Public Records Office of Victoria, Melbourne; Port Albert Historical Museum, Port Albert, Victoria; State Library of Victoria, Melbourne; Research Centre, Auckland Public Library, Auckland; Auckland Branch, National Archives; Tainui Historical Society and Museum, Mokau; Waitara Genealogy Branch and Waitara History Project Group The Memory Bank, Waitara; Taranaki Research Centre, Puke Ariki, New Plymouth; Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington; Newspaper Collection, National Library, Wellington; Salvation Army Archives, Wellington; Wellington Branch, National Archives; Documentary Research Centre, Canterbury Museum, Christchurch; Christchurch Branch, National Archives; Balclutha Historical Society and Museum, Balclutha; Geraldine Historical Society Museum, Geraldine; Reference Library, South Canterbury Museum, Timaru; Waimate Historical Museum, Waimate; Waimate District and Historical Society Archives, Waimate; Reference Library, North Otago Museum, Oamaru; Hocken Library, Dunedin; Dunedin Branch, National Archives; Catlins Historical Museum/Owaka Museum, Owaka; Clutha Information Office, Balclutha.

I am grateful for financial assistance provided through the Massey University Research Fund and the Massey University Womens Award. I have also received assistance from the School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work, and from the School of People, Environment and Planning during the course of this research.

I would like to thank the following individuals for their generous assistance: Alice Arthur, Gary Blackman, Major Peter Bradley, Roma Buchanon, John Catley, Paul Christoffel, Fiona Clark, Bessie Cunningham, Marilyn Dunn, Chris Fraser, Julian Halls, Sorrel Hoskin, Margaret Jackson, Lynne Johnson, Marion Mackay, Valmai McKay, Noeline McLaren, Garry Mellsop, Keith Mitchell, Rosemary Mowat, Louise Pearman, Liz Parkinson, Ian Powell, Margaret Powell, Dolcie Richards, Jim Rowley, Anne Scott, Irene Sutton, Peter Synan, Ann Synan, Marion Wellington, Ian Whittaker, Kath Widdowson, and Robert J. Williams. Thanks also to Robyn Andrews and Tighe Instone for their encouragement and comments on drafts.

Particular thanks go to Wendy Harrex whose enthusiastic responses to publishing Amys story have helped me through the challenges of my first book. Special thanks also to my brother Peter Coleman for all those long and engaging conversations on his porch discussing the discoveries of the day on the many research trips to Melbourne. Lastly, my heartfelt thanks go to my research assistant and partner Mary Nettle for supporting me in every possible way through this work. Your total belief in me is so precious.

JENNY COLEMAN

March 2010