Australia in the forefront of science: Australian contributions to "Big Science"

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Since 1788 Australia has been at the cutting edge in science. Geoscientists, including women, have initiated ideas and their contributions far outweigh the number of people involved. One period 1957 to 1970 saw upheavals in thinking centred on continental drift. This prompted a major Australia research effort to promote what became the International Geological Correlation Programme (IGCP), which continues today. Does the recent trend for competetive priority-driven research always produce mind-boggling results in international journals or even good science or is grassroots-derived co-operative research like IGCP the way to conduct science and increase Australia's international profile? Examination of Australian contributions to IGCP will gauge scientific and economic benefits.