Insightful presentations, influential guest speakers, perfect weather and good company. We can honestly say that we are sad that it is over. Our symposium mentor, Prof Tony Fane, wonderfully led us through the history of membranes, guided the motivating discussions and challenged us into the future of membrane science, for which we are very grateful for. Furthermore, Prof Rose Amal and Prof Gordon Wallace shared with us their novel responsive and functional materials, inspiring us to utilize new technology to combat membrane challenges.

All the student presentations were of such a high standard and many research relationships were formed that will build the Australasian membrane empire (or society) of the future. Two very interactive and constructive workshops were successfully conducted by Prof Vicki Chen and Prof Sandra Kentish who set up a spirited atmosphere that tackled some common gas and liquid separation problems.

Thanks is due to our sponsors, CSIRO, ARCNN, Dairy Innovation, SIEMENS, NMG, DOW Water & Process Solutions and Prof Michel Lefebvre, who made this event possible, and their representatives who were able to attend and contribute significantly to the discussions, Anita Hill, Matthew Hill, Elankovan Ponnampalam, Geoff Johnston-Hall, Clem Powell, Jim Hill and David Halliwell.

For those who are game, there is more photographic evidence of the event to be viewed on the Student Symposium website, here.

Finally, congratulations go to the following award winners of the event:
Ludovic Dumee - Best Overall Oral Presentation
Angela Hausmann - Best 1st year PhD Oral Presentation
Leonora Velleman - Best Short Notice Oral Presentation
Patrick Haworth - Best Poster Presentation
Guangxi Dong - Best Quote “Hollow fibres are better than flat sheets”

Aaron Thornton on behalf of the MSA Student Symposium committee