‘Always look on the bright side…’ [Python, M 1979].

Minister Carr’s announcement of the successful CRCs in Round 13 may not have been quite the Christmas present we would all have enjoyed. But we were warned. At interview in November the message was that the competition would be severe. In the event only four CRC bids of the thirteen which went to interview were successful. In previous rounds six or seven might have been anticipated but the CRC Committee had fewer resources at its disposal this time round.

Interestingly, the header of the Minster’s media release on 10 December was ‘$100 million boost to tackle health and environment challenges’. Maybe the latter is a reflection of changed circumstances for Government since Round 13 was launched? However, the successful bids were, by-and-large, consistent with the announced Ministerial priorities of social sciences and manufacturing, which remain in place for Round 14. The eclectic mix of Round 13 winners encompasses mental health, environmental remediation and the well being of young people. And I, for one, shall enjoy barbecues even more in the future, secure in the knowledge that my sausages are of high integrity and come from really contented sows.

In the October issue of The Leaflet, written before our interview, I wrote “…we look forward to a safe landfall and delivering the goods on your behalf”. In terms of completing the bid process and performing at interview I believe that we accomplished both those objectives. Enormous credit is due to all members of the CRCNPB who worked so hard to put together a bid which met all the CRC Committee’s criteria.

At the time of writing we are yet to receive detailed feedback on our bid. This will be critical in Participants advising the Board and Management as to which option we might pursue in 2011.

Meanwhile, we have a Science Exchange to look forward to in February and the prospect of continuing to build on a track record which bears comparison with any CRC in its sixth year.

Following the Annual General Meeting in November I attended an Executive Board meeting of the Global Crop Diversity Trust, held in Rome. Excellent progress continues to be made in securing crop genetic resources in the Global Seed Vault on Svalbard. If there is a concern it is that, while duplicates of the major collections of the international Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Centres are being obtained, the many smaller collections around the world are still at risk. And the costs of saving them are escalating. The trust’s initial target for its endowment fund was $US260 million. The sum is now estimated at around $450 million.

I was also able to visit CABI Headquarters in the United Kingdom and to receive an update on the development of CABI’s Invasive Species Compendium (ISC) and the Global Plant Clinic initiatives. The ISC will be launched, globally, in 2011 and we expect to be part of that process. Meanwhile, it is planned that pre-publicity for the ISC launch will be generated during the Science Exchange. The Remote Microscope Network is a natural fit with the Global Plant Clinic concept, which provides a diagnostic service for all plants and types of problems, is used by over 80 countries and helps maintain disease vigilance. The clinic also trains plant pathologists, and works to improve regular and reliable access to technical support and advice, particularly in the developing world.

So, as I retreat to the armchair with something soothing, have a very Merry Christmas and, for 2011, consistent with my nautical theme, remember that Billy Ocean once sang ‘When the going gets tough....'