Words written by the Australian Centre for Maritime Studies crystallised the thoughts of the founders of the Nereus Foundation:
"For most of its history, Australia's national maritime requirements, such as sea transport, have been serviced by others. Thus Australia never developed a true perspective of itself as a maritime nation nor has a maritime psyche ever etched itself on the Australia people.
This in turn has led to inadequate development of national marine policies, unsatisfactory co-ordination of marine research and technology and poorly co-ordinated development of maritime resources, both human and material."
Determined to do something about this state of affairs, the concept for the Nereus Foundation was created in 2004. Its founders took soundings from research scientists, academics, ship builders and ship managers, politicians and their advisers; and business people.
They canvassed the idea of creating a national maritime facility promoting Australia as a maritime nation, through marine research, maritime education and exploration.
The result was truly astonishing. The concept of a unified, co-ordinated and well resourced facility gained support from all quarters. Taking that sound and well-received idea and turning it in to a practical reality is the challenge the founders set themselves.
That challenge continues.
(Updated: January 2007)