News At Last - And Yet More Parties

12 December, 2025, 12 Viewway, Nedlands.

Monday night was a very long night. knowing the news about the centre was the next day, I woke up intermittently, with bad dreams in between.

Finally at 5am Tuesday morning, I gave up sleeping and started trying to login to the Australian Research Council website in case there was news. But I locked myself out of the website because I got the password wrong too many times, aah! We weren't sure where the information about grants were being announced, so I switched to checking the general website instead. Checked again at 6am, nothing. 630am, nothing....

Then at about 7am, which would have been 10am Canberra time, I'd given up and was online shopping to distract myself. Mark suddently announced... "we got it".

“What?" I was instantly fully awake. "What are you saying? Are you sure? Show me!". Sure enough, I saw our centre name, my name, and then the number $34,834,223 (or thereabouts!).

Once I was absolutely sure we had indeed been successful, relief and happiness just flooded through my brain. Next thing, the phone rang - it was the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research, who'd just heard from the Chief Scientist, calling with congratulate me. Then I rang Karina - she was over the moon - and then Kamila (she already knew), and then Andrew (he swore a lot - he was so surprised as just the week before he'd given us a 30% chance!). And so a very exciting day began!

It turned out, we were one of only eight centres awarded across Australia (less than usual). We in fact were ranked third! Ours was the only WA Centre, and is the first centre to be led by a WA person for over 2 decades.

The work team threw a spontaneous celebration. As I walked down the corridoor various poppers went off, champagne corks flew, and flowers were given. It was so lovely and kind of people to do this (poor things - they'd been waiting for me for over half an hour). I think there was a collective sense of relief as everyone understands how important this centre is for our future, as well as a shared sense of pride as this was really a huge team effort.

Some of the team- Isabel, me, Elena, Kamila, and Karina

Balloons and flowers all through my office

The Pro Vice Chancellor of the Faculty, Vanessa, brought flowers, champagne and chocolates for us to celebrate with

After a day of celebrating, with various people dropping in champagne or flowers, we then had an evening celebrating with the family. Amazingly, Talia, Melissa, and Suzy were all able to come out (also Alex, Melissa's boyfriend) even though we had not planned anything. We went to a new restaurant called Avalon in Claremont - very fancy and expensive. Although the food was a bit disappointing, we had a special night. No tantrums or tears (which we do quite frequently seem to have when all the girls are together!) and lots of great conversation and storytelling. The kids seemed really proud of Mark and I - they are starting to understand and appreciate our work lives a little more these days.

Out to dinner to celebrate with the family

Next day, I did something I never do.... Which is that I had the day sponteneously and completely off! First we went to where Talia works to get takeaway coffee, then I did some glass in the studio, and then Suzy and I rode up to Kings Park where we shopped and had lunch. More glass in the afternoon and some watching of netflix!

Surprised Talia by turning up where she works and ordering coffee

Having a ball in my "studio" (the gazebo in the back yard) listening to music and making a Xmas present for Kayelene

Glass inspiration from Aspects shop in Kings Park

Thursday it was back to work for nine meetings (ugh) followed by a Xmas dinner with Pilaes folks, and more celebrations!

And then last but not least, Friday (today), we had the FOWI Xmas party. Mark gave a great speech about what he's been trying to achieve with FOWI over the past several years (as he will step down from the Director role in January), various fun awards were given out, and there were more presents, more food, more drinks. I actually left reasonably early as I was knackered. It has been a huge week!