In spite of its relatively small population, about 20 million people, Australia has, across a large number of fields, made significant contributions to science and technology. Expressed statistically, approximately 2.4% of published science research has its origins 'down-under'. Electron microscopy is no exception. Indeed, a significant number of pioneering developments in microscopy (and prominent microscopists) have originated from Australia. For example, early developments in environmental scanning electron microscopy had their birth at this university (through Viv Robinson and Gerry Danilatos) in the 1970's. Leading figures such as David Cockayne, John Cowley, John Spence. Michael O'Keefe once (still?) called Australia home.