'Imagining Australia in apocalyptic terms has long been of interest to writers and filmmakers. Many speculative texts narrate Australia's complete destruction in the future or envisage a chaotic post-apocalyptic society. Apocalyptic scenarios and themes are found in works by writers (Nevil Shute's On the Beach, Gabrielle Lord's Salt) and filmmakers (Where the Green Ants Dream, Until the End of the World); in texts for adults (Tess Williams's Map of Power, Simon Brown's Winter) and for children (Lee Harding's Waiting for the End of the World, John Marsden's Tomorrow, When the War Began); and in works by authors of both genders and varying cultural backgrounds.' (Author's introduction, 3)