Milada had been undertaking a Masters thesis on the worms at Newcastle University (the title of her thesis was ‘Intraspecific density effects on the growth and tube diameter of the polychaete Diopatra aciculata Onuphidae’). She examined spatial relationships between the worm and their tubes and a variety of factors which influenced this. The research was so innovative she was awarded the Rural Women’s award in 2003. At the same time the Safariks successfully applied for a grant from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ New Industry Development Program.