When it is all said, done, celebrated and published, the question remains, “How do we identify new viruses?” How do we build preparedness for rapid identification and teams whereby important data can be disseminated to our peers in virology, histopathology and molecular biology? The answers lie in the ability to build effective teams and to recognize the unique contributions of disciplines such as electron microscopy and the associated skill bases. The success in Australia for the rapid and accurate identification of new viruses has, in the main, been attributed to the effective use of electron microscopy. Data generated from such investigations have provided the foundation for subsequent studies involving the above areas of diagnostic inquiry. Data presented in this paper overviews some of the successes of electron microscopy and highlights its continued role in the identification of ‘emerging pathogens’ that have potentional impact on trade, human health, medical health and conservational biology.