As an investigator with very few worthwhile independent ideas I have spent the last fifteen years conducting clinical trials primarily designed by others. This apparently empty, vacuous existence does have some redeeming features and the importance and rewards, as well as the difficulties one can encounter along the way, will be laid bare. In particular Australia and New Zealand’s involvement in important long-term cardiovascular outcome studies will be summarized. The potential to form a Diabetes Clinical Trial Network as a method to facilitate investigator initiated research in this country will be discussed. Anyone with an interest or opinion, positive or negative,  is encouraged to attend.