Seminars in the past few years. The NYSF in January 2000 was, for the first time the "National Youth Science Forum" with no sponsor name. Partner universities and industry groups took part in both sessions and changed the emphasis from the mining industry base of past years to a university/industry base. In November 2000, Mrs Ada Meek retired from the office after being with the NYSF for 17 years. The Council expressed its gratitude to Ada for the influence she had had on the organisation over those years. With a full-time replacement for Ada and the Director now full-time, the NSSS Inc. employed, from December 2000, 4 full-time staff and a part-time accountant. Applications for the January 2001 NYSF remained the same as in previous years but the numbers of boys and girls at session A was essentially the same. In session B, however, there were 84 girls to 60 boys, the reason for the difference being a mystery. Six South Africans joined the six New Zealanders as students included in the subject groups. Two Canadians from the Canada Wide Science Fair were present during Session A. In 2005, after years of dedication to the program, the Director, Prof. Rod Jory retired and was replaced by Geoff Burchfield. Geoff was previously the head of CSIRO’s Media Unit in Canberra. The 2010 NYSF was an expansion of previous years, with a third session being held in Perth, overseen by the new Associate Director, Tom Grace. After 8 years at the helm of the organisation, Geoff Burchfield stepped down as Director in 2013 to focus on program development for the NYSF. His successor is Damien Pearce. During 2017 session, it was announced that a third session was to open for 2018. This is to be hosted at University of Queensland in Brisbane. Application process Applications are open to all Year 11 students who are permanent residents of Australia and are interested in proceeding to tertiary studies in Australia to do a science, engineering or technology course. Applications close 31 May each year for the following January forum. To become a participant of the NYSF, Rotary International select a number of pupils in which they will sponsor to go to the Forum, which includes an interview, impromptu speech, group and social activities, and depending on schools and rotary clubs, examinations. See also London International Youth Science Forum Asian Science Camp National Science Camp