Royal Society of New South Wales - History

History

The Royal Society of New South Wales, Australia traces its origins to The Philosophical Society of Australasia, established on 27 June 1821 and was the first scientific society in the then British Colony of New South Wales.

The Society was formed "with a view to enquiring into the various branches of physical science of this vast continent and its adjacent regions". On his arrival in Sydney late in 1821 the new Governor-General (as he was then called), Sir Thomas Brisbane, was offered and accepted the position of President.

Following a period of informal activity, the Society was revitalised and renamed the Australian Philosophical Society on 19 January 1850. On 12th December 1866, Queen Victoria granted Royal Assent to the Society and it was renamed again as The Royal Society of New South Wales. The Society was incorporated by Act of the New South Wales Parliament in 1881.

The rules of the Society provided that the Governor of New South Wales should be President ex officio. After the establishment of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901, the Governor-General became Patron of the Society, and the Governor New South Wales the Vice-Patron. Since 1938, the Society has been under the joint patronage of the Governor-General of Australia and the Governor of NSW .

Throughout its history, the Society has done much to foster local research particularly in science, through meetings, symposia, publications and international scientific exchange, and has supported and fostered the endeavours of other organisations dedicated to the furtherance of knowledge.

The Society encourages "...studies and investigations in Science, Art, Literature and Philosophy" through the following activities:

• Publications of results of scientific investigations through its Journal and Proceedings;
• Awarding prizes and medals for outstanding achievements in research;
• Liaison with other similar bodies;
• Holding meetings for the benefit of members and the general public (special meetings are held for the Pollock Memorial Lecture in Physics and Mathematics, the Liversidge Research Lecture in Chemistry, the Poggendorf Memorial Lecture in Agriculture, the Clarke Memorial Lecture in Geology and the Warren Lecture and Prize in engineering, applied science and technology); and
• Maintaining a Library.