Interest in the practice of partnerships has grown significantly as has the body of literature which records its emergence, growth and development. Its trajectory has been significant particularly in the field of public policy where the practice of partnerships as a governance tool is now well established. At the same time society's understanding of the costs and benefits of partnership relationships within this and similar contexts still diverges widely, encompassing experience and opinions that are polar opposites. This poster will describe the story of one partnership; the RWMC CURA which accomplished its research from 2004-2010. Partner composition spanned the sectors leading the governing group to be creative in its approach and to focus on factors which facilitated the development of what became a strong and vibrant research partnership. Selected facilitating factors will be profiled in this poster.