The lecture “Jellyfish Blooms and the Future of the Ocean” delivered on 3 April 2022 is now available on the RST YouTube channel.

Our oceans are becoming increasingly inhospitable to life—growing toxicity and rising temperatures coupled with overfishing have led many marine species to the brink of collapse. And yet there is one creature that is thriving in this seasick environment: the beautiful, dangerous, and now incredibly numerous jellyfish. The jellyfish population bloom is highly indicative of the tragic state of the world’s ocean waters, while also revealing the incredible tenacity of these remarkable creatures.

Lisa Gershwin is a marine ecologist and scientific communicator. Her research skills include nearly all aspects of pelagic invertebrates with particular focus on gelatinous species, including jellyfish bloom dynamics, taxonomy, stinger management, toxinology, paleontology, evolutionary biology, and field guide construction. She communicates via local, national, and international media, high profile feature stories and documentaries, blogs, social media, a science show on the radio, and authorship of the best-selling books “Stung! On Jellyfish Blooms and the Future of the Ocean” and “Jellyfish: A Natural History”. She has more than 70 peer reviewed papers published, a half million dollars in competitive research funding, a Fulbright Fellowship, and more than 200 new jellyfish species and one dolphin discovered.

The lecture “Government House Tasmania — A Remarkable Story” is now available on the RST YouTube channel.

This lecture highlights content from Professor Warner and David Owen’s two-volume book, relating to the history of Government House, covering architecture, art, gardening and landscape ideals, pioneering scientific endeavour, colonial administration, vice-regal families and staff, and the evolving use of the House and Grounds. The story is supported by historical paintings and drawings, maps, plans and early photographs.

Professor Kate Warner AC is a barrister and solicitor whose career began as an Associate to the Chief Justice of Tasmania. Professor Warner then took an academic position at the University of Tasmania where she was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Law, Head of the School of Law and Director of the Tasmania Law Reform Institute. In 2014, she became Governor of Tasmania, and held that position until 2019.

David Owen is the Official Secretary, Office of the Governor, Government House, in Hobart. He has wide responsibilities relating to events that involve the Governor and particularly those events held at Government House. David is also a much published writer of fiction and non-fiction, including the highly successful “Pufferfish” detective fiction series set in Tasmania.

The Royal Society of Tasmania invites all members and supporters to a lecture at 3 pm on 3 April 2022 by Dr Lisa Gershwin. The lecture will be presented in person at the RST Lecture Room in TMAG (Hobart) and as a Zoom webinar. This lecture is free for members of the Royal Society of Tasmania.  Non-members are welcome to attend and donations are appreciated through our website or at the door. Suggested donation is $6; $4 for students and Friends of TMAG.

Attendance in person: Please register for the in-person lecture using this link. The password is RST. Eventbrite registrations close at 4 pm on Saturday 2 April.

Attendance via ZOOM: Follow this link to register for the Zoom webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Our oceans are becoming increasingly inhospitable to life—growing toxicity and rising temperatures coupled with overfishing have led many marine species to the brink of collapse. And yet there is one creature that is thriving in this seasick environment: the beautiful, dangerous, and now incredibly numerous jellyfish. The jellyfish population bloom is highly indicative of the tragic state of the world’s ocean waters, while also revealing the incredible tenacity of these remarkable creatures.

Lisa Gershwin is a marine ecologist and scientific communicator. Her research skills include nearly all aspects of pelagic invertebrates with particular focus on gelatinous species, including jellyfish bloom dynamics, taxonomy, stinger management, toxinology, paleontology, evolutionary biology, and field guide construction. She communicates via local, national, and international media, high profile feature stories and documentaries, blogs, social media, a science show on the radio, and authorship of the best-selling books “Stung! On Jellyfish Blooms and the Future of the Ocean” and “Jellyfish: A Natural History”. She has more than 70 peer reviewed papers published, a half million dollars in competitive research funding, a Fulbright Fellowship, and more than 200 new jellyfish species and one dolphin discovered.

Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC, Governor of Tasmania, and Emeritus Professor Don Chalmers AO invite RST members to a Medal Presentation, Lecture and Reception at Government House on Wednesday 30 March 2022 commencing at 6 pm. Dr Eric Ratcliff, winner of the 2021 Royal Society of Tasmania Medal, will speak on “the Peril of Naming Things”.

PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT IS FOR RST MEMBERS ONLY.

Registration in advance is required. Detailed instructions for registration are given here. Please observe COVID-19 requirements for attendees at Government House. Attendees must wear masks and adhere to physical distancing provisions.

Bookings for this event will close at 9.00 p.m. on Thursday 24th March 2022.

About this lecture

Taxonomy is broadly understood to refer to the science of classification of organisms, both living and extinct, whereas nosology is a branch of medical science that deals with the classification of diseases. Classification in general can be perilous because the process requires decisions about what is in and what is not in any particular class. In this lecture, Dr Ratcliff will explore the perils and pitfalls of naming and classifying.

About Dr Eric Ratcliff

The Royal Society of Tasmania Medal is reserved for a distinguished scholar who is also an active member of the Royal Society of Tasmania. Dr Eric Ratcliff fully satisfies, and indeed exceeds, the selection criteria for this medal. Dr Ratcliff has been a leading figure in the Psychiatric profession in Tasmania and nationally over some 55 years. Over six decades Dr Ratcliff has taught, lectured, written and published on psychiatry and medical history, and has taught, lectured, written, published, illustrated, exhibited and designed on architecture, building conservation, art and history. During the same period, he has been an active member of the Royal Society of Tasmania Northern Branch, a Member of the Northern Branch Management Committee for 13 years, President of the Northern Branch on four separate occasions, and a member of the Royal Society of Tasmania Foundation from 2015 to 2020.

“Government House Tasmania — A Remarkable Story”

The Royal Society of Tasmania invites you to this lecture by Professor Kate Warner AC and David Owen following the AGM at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, commencing at 4 pm on on Monday 7 March 2022.

Click on this link to view the formal notice of the AGM and nomination forms for vacant positions on The Royal Society of Tasmania Council.

This lecture is free for members of the Royal Society of Tasmania.  Non-members are welcome to attend and donations are appreciated through our website or at the door. Suggested donation is $6; $4 for students and Friends of TMAG.

Please register your attendance in advance using this link. The password is RST. Eventbrite registrations close at 6 pm on Sunday 6 March.

The lecture will highlight content from Professor Warner and David Owen’s recently published book “Government House Tasmania — A Remarkable Story”. The two-volume book relates the history of Government House, covering architecture, art, gardening and landscape ideals, pioneering scientific endeavour, colonial administration, vice-regal families and staff, and the evolving use of the House and Grounds. The story is supported by historical paintings and drawings, maps, plans and early photographs.

Professor Kate Warner AC is a barrister and solicitor whose career began as an Associate to the Chief Justice of Tasmania. Professor Warner then took an academic position at the University of Tasmania where she was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Law, Head of the School of Law and Director of the Tasmania Law Reform Institute. In 2014, she became Governor of Tasmania, and held that position until June 2021.

David Owen is the Official Secretary, Office of the Governor, Government House, in Hobart. He has wide responsibilities relating to events that involve the Governor and particularly those events held at Government House. David is also a much published writer of fiction and non-fiction, including the highly successful “Pufferfish” detective fiction series set in Tasmania.