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NEW AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS
28 June 2001

The Australian Academy of Science has welcomed the appointment of Academy Fellow Professor Vicki Sara as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the new Australian Research Council (ARC) and Mr Peter Wills as the Chair of the Board.

'Vicki Sara and Peter Wills are well-known in the research community as strong advocates of the national importance of investing in research and development', said the President of the Academy, Professor Brian Anderson. 'Together they will bring a sharp, strategic focus to the activities of the ARC.'

Professor Anderson is himself an appointed member of the ARC Board. He is Director of the Research School of Information Sciences and Engineering, Australian National University. He is currently a member of the Prime Minister's Science Engineering and Innovation Council, a director of Cochlear Limited and has been a member of the ARC since 2000.

He said 'Mr Wills' experience from chairing the Review of Health and Medical Research during 1999 and developing government policy in research will be invaluable as the ARC funding for innovation increases in the coming years.

'The ARC is a key element in ensuring the best returns for Australian investment in research.'

The members of the newly appointed board are: Professor Brian Anderson, Professor Edwina Cornish, Dr Geoffrey (Mike) Folie, Mr John Grace, Ms Sue Middleton, Dr Christopher Nichol, Dr Michael Sargent and Professor Richard Snape.