Horses for Discourses: a Critical Examination of the Horse in Australian Culture
Horses for Discourses: A critical examination of the horse in Australian culture Isa Menzies A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy The Australian National University October 2019. ©Copyright Isa Menzies 2019 This work is the result of original research carried out by the author except where otherwise indicated in the text. ii Thanks and acknowledgements The path to submission of this thesis has been long, and oftentimes, undeniably bumpy. Yet as I reach the end of that road, I can honestly say that undertaking this work has been engaging, revelatory, and incredibly rewarding. And, against all received wisdom, I still find the topic fascinating! For this I owe my gratitude to all those who assisted me with the research—the interviewees, both formal and informal, who shared their unique wisdom and subject knowledge: Leisa Caldwell, Rob Gibbs, Di Thompson, Graeme Worboys, Terry Claven and Martha Sear; the numerous museum curators and staff who undertook the work of the ERIC survey, and shared the richness of their collections with me; and all those who, knowing my interest in horses, reached out with suggested readings, articles, and books. Like many students, my supervisory panel changed throughout the life of the project, and I am grateful to all who assisted in this capacity as the project evolved. I offer particular thanks to those who saw me over the line: Laurajane Smith, your support has been invaluable, and I am so grateful that you took me on when you did. You renewed my intellectual faith in the project, while also respecting my limited capacity to commit to it wholly and solely, as I juggled the thesis with the full-time parenting of a young child, and occasionally overwhelming work contracts.
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