Behind the Boomgate: A short story cycle and accompanying exegesis Lesley Bronwyn Harrison M.Ed (Research), M.Ed, B.Ed Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of PhD Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne 2015 i Abstract This PhD research consists of two elements —an artefact of sixteen inter-related short stories in the form of a short story cycle titled Behind the Boomgate and an exegesis. The research explores the effects of a lack of affordable accommodation and the lack of a Residential Residency Act on the permanent residents of Tasmanian caravan parks. It also considers the relationship between research methodology, creative practice, and activism. The project has a threefold practice-led methodology. The project’s process is not a linear procedure but a cyclic and bottom-up application (Mafe & Brown, 2006). Firstly, it considers research for practice and documents the use of conventional research methods to provide knowledge about the content and the context for the artefact (Webb, 2008). Secondly, the project considers research into practice that generates knowledge about the techniques, approaches and thinking on the making of the artefact (Webb, 2008). The exegesis explores auto-ethnographic interpretation, social action realist writing’s ability to expose injustices, considers the question of appropriate genre, and interrogates the specific creative techniques open to me as a writer. Thirdly, the project addresses research through practice to generate knowledge about social, political and cultural issues (Webb, 2008) in the form of the artefact. Through interaction with exegetical research, a social activist short story cycle is produced. The short story cycle is executed through the setting of Brackwell Caravan Park on the Taylor River. The owners William and Clair Anderson are the principle antagonists. It follows several residents as they contend with the conflict and tension created by the social and legal complexities of living in the caravan park. ii Acknowledgements My initial appreciation is to Dr. Martin Andrew who saw the feasibility of this project and started me on the Swinburne journey. My particular gratitude is reserved for my supervisor, Dr Carolyn Beasley, who during the weekly phone calls constantly listened to my thoughts and ideas, offered thorough academic advice and encouragement and skilful (though left-handed) attention to each draft. To Dr Lorraine Fleckhammer for perceptive comments and keen editing. A special thanks to academic staff at Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne in particular Professor Josie Arnold for her exegesis critique and advice and fellow student writers who shared their passion at the annual school symposiums. To my friends Karen Crawford, Judy Northeast and Penny Willington who commented on parts of stories in the artefact without knowing why, and who, as my captive audience endured endless storyline ramblings. To all baby boomers who live in caravan parks. And finally to my husband Les, who patiently sat through countless afternoon readings, who could spot flaws readily and already understands the extent to which I appreciate his encouragement and help. iii Declaration I certify that the thesis entitled ‘Behind the Boomgate: A short story cycle and accompanying exegesis’ submitted for the degree of PhD contains no material which has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma; to the best of my knowledge contains no material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in the text; and is not based on joint research or publications. Full name: Lesley Bronwyn Harrison…………………………… Signed:……………………………………………………………. Date:……………………………………………………………… iv Table Of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................... ii Declaration .................................................................................................................. iii Table Of Contents ........................................................................................................ iv List Of Tables ............................................................................................................... v Contents ........................................................................................................................ i Changing Places. .......................................................................................................... 1 Takeover. ...................................................................................................................... 9 Buy-up Big. ................................................................................................................ 18 No Other Choice. ........................................................................................................ 30 Clean-up. .................................................................................................................... 43 Free For All. ............................................................................................................... 55 Get Out Of Here. ........................................................................................................ 63 How Does Your Garden Grow? .................................................................................. 76 The Big ‘O’. ............................................................................................................... 92 Soul Mate. ................................................................................................................ 101 The Journey. ............................................................................................................. 114 For Sale. ................................................................................................................... 122 Case Dismissed. ........................................................................................................ 126 Expansion. ................................................................................................................ 138 What’s Up? ............................................................................................................... 153 Pulling The Pin. ........................................................................................................ 158 Exegesis: Introduction .............................................................................................. 172 Chapter One .............................................................................................................. 178 Rationale ............................................................................................................... 178 Tasmania the ageing state .................................................................................. 178 Baby Boomers ................................................................................................... 179 Caravan Parks in Tasmania ................................................................................ 185 Social capital ..................................................................................................... 188 The use of social capital in the future ................................................................. 196 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 196 Chapter Two ............................................................................................................. 198 Social activism ...................................................................................................... 198 Literature to express injustices. .............................................................................. 202 v Journalists as social writers ................................................................................... 208 The oppressed and outcast penning their own stories. ............................................ 213 Chapter Three ........................................................................................................... 219 Methods. ............................................................................................................... 219 Auto-ethnography ..................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Participant Observation ............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Textual Research ....................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Chapter Four ............................................................................................................. 233 What narrative form?............................................................................................. 233 Chapter Five ............................................................................................................. 241 Character or Plot? .................................................................................................. 241 Flat and round characters ....................................................................................... 248 Complexity ........................................................................................................... 250 Chapter Six ..............................................................................................................