Closing remarks
by Dr Jim Peacock

It's sad, isn't it, that this Symposium is coming to an end today. The joy and excitement of top science are very special vicarious emotions for researchers, and I am sure we have all enjoyed them today.

The Symposium is concluded, but it has been very successful, I think, in serving as a portent to the future. These eight young scientists have shown us glimpses of the wonderful advances in knowledge we can expect in the coming years. I think we have all felt their enthusiasm, and the authority with which they spoke about their subjects.

Pushing back the perimeter of non-understanding is what science is about, and today we have seen some wonderful advances in the realm of understanding. An increasing understanding of our world ensures that we will have an increasing ability to live well in our world, and that is why science is really so important.

The talks today, a tremendous range of them, have given us a perspective about our place in the universe and taken us to the molecular and submolecular properties of materials and of life itself. We have also seen that communication systems operate – and necessarily operate – at all levels of organisational complexity.

I think it is clear the Symposium has been a very appropriate ending to this week's celebration of Australia's science. It is a worthy candle in the Academy's 50th Anniversary cake. I am sure you will all join with me in thanking the speakers who have given us this wonderful birthday treat today.