Firstly, I would like to acknowledge my supervisors Donal Fitzpatrick, Toni Ross (in the initial stages) and Andrew McNamara-their opinions, encouragement and support have been invaluable to the process of mapping this project.
Thank you to my family, particularly my partner John and my son Lukas for their patience, especially when I seemed continually attached to the computer. Linda Carroli has also been a continual source of support, as well as a springboard for ideas, through our ongoing discussions on various topics. Other people who have also encouraged my focus on these pursuits have been JM John Armstrong, Paul Carter, Margaret Maynard and Paul Brown.
This thesis is dedicated to my grandmothers - Mary and the late Alice, who have over the years, shared many stories of their past adventures with me, all the while inspiring and encouraging me to follow my dreams. I feel immensely privileged to have shared precious moments with these amazing women, and from their generousity I have gained much insight into their lives from these stories committed to memory.