Now all that remains is to sit and wait until the decision on which CRCs will be funded in the 1998 selection round is announced towards the end of March. The interview panel was very professional, probing, thorough and efficient. The interview panel was chaired by Professor Max Brennan, a former chair of the Australian Research Council. News Ltd. The CRC GET team was under the baton of Brian Spies, and comprised the entire proposed Board of Management and senior management team. The CRC GET proposal was the result of 12 months hard work by the CRC AMET senior management team and representatives from organisations which will participate in the new centre, including extensive industry consultation.
Advanced geophysics is the only method for successfully exploring under cover.
Tom Eadie, of Pasminco, who will become a member of the CRC GET Board of Management, took a key role in explaining industry's requirements. Andy Green then explained the benefits which will flow from the four research programs and the education program, and Brian Spies concluded the presentation by discussing planning for the new centre, management, finance, commercialisation and technology transfer. The panel completed its report in the afternoon, readying themselves for another interview the next day. The panel's recommendations will go to CRC Committee in mid-March. One Centre from each sector is selected to make a presentation at the opening session of the conference which will be attended by various VIPs, including the Chairman of the Industry, Science and Resources Backbench Commmittee, Senator Grant Chapman, who will open the conference, and Mr Campbell Anderson, the new president of the Business Council of Australia, who will deliver a short address.