What VIMS brings to the consortium is the role of broker and facilitator. In an unofficial but structured way, VIMS acts as an information hub, identifying research needs and opportunities, organizing discussions among the organizations which lead to new proposals for joint activity, and acting as a point of contact for external groups who require scientific advice, particularly where there is no clearly identifiable, adequate single source. The recent study (Colman et al., 1991) undertaken by a team of scientists from five organizations (including two in the private sector) for the Victorian Commissioner for the Environment is a case in point. A second one will be seen soon in the response of Victorian scientists to the proposed Port Phillip Bay Environmental Study, which the Melbourne Water Corporation is undertaking.

VIMS also acts as a project or facilities manager on behalf of other organizations. This service role is not trivial, because VIMS has developed among its key competencies, the formation and management of teams and the management of projects, on-time and in-budget.

Royal Society of Victoria