An article in the Melbourne Age on Saturday September 15 by Peter Yates, Chairman of the Australian Science Media Centre, painted an inspiring vision for Melbourne. The article highlighted the concentration of science and technology-based industry in Melbourne, and speculated that by 2030 the city might be as well known for its science as its sports. He suggested that “Melbourne embraces the largest bodies of scientific research, development, and business in the southern hemisphere, putting (Melbourne) possibly among the top 10 science cities in the world”. He proposed that Melbourne is uniquely positioned today to trigger a “cycle of success” in the business of science.
It is an inspiring vision, and I was excited to see that Peter Yates listed nanotechnology, along with health sciences, biotechnology, and climate change as the potential strengths of Melbourne in that scenario. Yates’ confidence is based not only on the existing Melbourne activities in science and business, but on the leadership – Premier, Opposition Leader, Governor, Town Hall – promoting and supporting science in Melbourne.
Melbourne is also staking a claim for leadership in Australian nanotechnology. In addition to some of Australia’s leading nanotechnology research (Melbourne, Monash, CSIRO, RMIT, Swinburne, Deakin) we have some of the leading commercial activities (Starpharma, Universal Biosensors); some of the leading investors (SciVentures, Starfish); the leading secondary education (St Helena); leading regulation (Monash Law); and OH&S (NanoSafe Australia). Nanotechnology is well placed to play a role in Peter Yates’ vision for Melbourne.
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