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ACADEMY WELCOMES NEW CSIRO HEAD
10 November 2000

The President of the Australian Academy of Science, Professor Brian Anderson, today welcomed the appointment of the new head of CSIRO.

'Dr Geoff Garrett brings to the position a wealth of relevant experience with a similar organisation in a country with many similar geographic, economic and climatic conditions.

'He has a record of effective leadership of a research organisation grappling with the social and economic challenges thrown up by a rapidly changing world. While the challenges face by Australia and South Africa are not identical, dealing with them requires many of the same resources and skills.

'I am particularly pleased to see the emphasis that Dr Garrett places on excellence in scientific research. As he has said, it is this that will distinguish a top research organisation from those that under-perform.

'Dr Garrett also stresses the importance of harnessing Australia's S&T resources to support improved national performance in innovation.

'He will be inheriting the leadership of an organisation that carries a large share of the responsibility for providing the research and development infrastructure for Australia.

'The Chair of the CSIR Board in South Africa has said "he has added great value…for our country." I can think of no better goal for the new head of CSIRO.

'I wish him well and offer him the wholehearted cooperation of the Australian Academy of Science in his work'.