'First, in response to the often-asked question: Why is a British-born Canadian interviewing Australian poets? Three experiences have led to the emergence of this book of interviews. The first relates to my own early childhood. Born and raised in England, I have had a fascination from as long as I can remember with the land that was initially described to me as being the spot on the globe at which you would arrive, if you could go through the earth and come out at exactly the opposite place, on 'the other side.' Australia was our Antipodes, and vice versa.' (Introduction)