Australian Mineral Discoverers 1950-2010 Book Launch
The Royal Society of Tasmania’s is honoured to have Professor Geoffrey Blainey AC launch its most recent publication “Australian Mineral Discoverers” at the University Club, Dobson Street, Sandy Bay, on December 15, 4.30 pm for 5 pm.
An absolute limit of 15 may attend the event in person (first come, first served). To attempt a registration click here.
You may find it more convenient to view the event online. Up to 400 places are available. Click here to request an online place.
Copies of the book may be purchased online at the Society’s online shop.
Learn more about the book here.
Australian Mineral Discoverers 1950-2010
Published 1st December 2020
Order now in our online store.
Editors: John Hill, Tony Hope, Ross Large, David Royle
Mineral discoveries in the 1950 to 2010 period have been the backbone of wealth creation for all Australians and helped to maintain Australia’s economic position as the “Lucky Country”. However, discovery of buried minerals is an extremely complex science that requires knowledge, innovation, disciplined application of geological principles, teamwork, persistence and an ounce of luck.
In this book you will read 65 exciting and sometimes unbelievable stories of the life and achievements of a cross section of Australian mineral explorers and educators who have advanced the science of discovery and contributed to the wealth of Australia for all Australians. Without these mineral discoveries, most in remote and inhospitable parts of Australia, many of us would not enjoy the high standards of living achieved in this country.
The stories told in these pages include the discovery of 150 mineral deposits, from the very largest (Olympic Dam of over 6 billion tonnes of copper gold and uranium ore) to the smallest (the gold rich Juno deposit in Tennant Creek). Collectively these mineral discoveries amount to many 100’s of billions of in ground value, that have supported many mines, towns and communities in outback Australia for 50 years and beyond.
Update on the work of the Council’s Aboriginal Engagement Committee
The committee (AEC) has continued to work on two areas of activity in recent weeks, and regular interaction with Council is occurring given the importance of these activities to the Society.
First, the suggested wording for Acknowledgement of Country has been drafted and discussed with the Council, with variations proposed for the Papers and Proceedings and meetings.
Second, we have advanced the discussions with Council on the apology to Tasmanian Aboriginal people, including planning for the apology event.
On Tuesday 22nd September, the Council hosted an extraordinary meeting to discuss the wording of the apology. The Council agreed the wording pending confirmation of the preamble. This historic decision was a result of substantial work by several members of the AEC, particularly in fact-checking the text so that all mentions of “Society” or “Member” activities in the past are traceable to the Society’s minutes, correspondence or other historical documents. We will continue to update members as plans progress.
Prof Matt King, Chair of AEC
COVID-19 response: Memo to Members
THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF TASMANIA
Memo to Members
Thursday 2 July 2020
Dear Members,
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the office bearers and Council members have worked very hard to keep the Society thriving. We are offering a vibrant program of online lectures via Zoom webinar, and recordings of these can be viewed on our newly established YouTube channel here. We have an exciting project in the pipeline for National Science Week: RST Council member Niamh Chapman is heading up a team to record a series of podcasts for our YouTube channel. This is a great way to share fascinating science with the community, and another first for our Society.
Restrictions on room occupancy mean we are not yet able to hold in-person lectures in our lecture room, but the RST office is open on Wednesday mornings for phone or in-person enquiries and sales of merchandise.
A highlight of the RST year is the launch of the annual calendar, and the 2021 edition is particularly beautiful. We extend grateful thanks to Dr Margaret Davies OAM for her work in compiling this. The images of artworks by Simpkinson de Wesselow come from paintings held in the Royal Society of Tasmania collection on loan to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. The calendar features scenes of northern Tasmania in honour of the centenary of the Northern Branch of our Society, which will be celebrated next year.
We are continuing to do our utmost to fulfil the Society’s mission of ‘advancing knowledge.’ Papers are now being sought for our Papers and Proceedings – please consider contributing a paper, and encouraging your friends and colleagues to do likewise. Nominations are now open for the Peter Smith Medal – do you know an outstanding early career researcher you could nominate for this award? Bursaries to secondary students continue to be offered, and the Doctoral Awards will be advertised a little later in the year.
I extend very warm thanks to all the members who have supported our Society by renewing their membership during the pandemic, and we have been extremely pleased to welcome new members each month.
Please email me if you have any queries: royal.society@tmag.tas.gov.au
Yours sincerely,
Mary Koolhof
President
The Royal Society of Tasmania
That’s What I Call Science!
Want to learn something new while stuck at home?
Tune in to “That’s What I Call Science”, a weekly radio show and podcast featuring interesting and relevant science happening in Tasmania and across Australia.
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Niamh Chapman, one of our new Royal Society of Tasmania Council members, is the founding director and regular host of the show.
Led by an all-woman team of scientists from the University of Tasmania, the show chooses a topic each week and interviews a knowledgeable local guest in a conversational style interview.
The podcast can be found on major streaming services or at http://bit.ly/ThatsScienceTAS
Entomology GO by Bug Girl (aka Shasta Henry)
The Royal Society of Tasmania Entomology Go challenge – what will you spot?
With nearly ten quintillion insects on earth you can’t catch em all!! But you may have a photo of an unknown insect on your phone, a dead one on your windowsill or a live one in your backyard?
Royal Society Entomologist, Shasta Henry, wants you to GO and discover some of the unique insects in your world; don’t worry She will help. Submit photos (or drawings) of your catches for the opportunity to receive Entomology Go ID cards and learn some wonderful facts about your insects.
*Safe for scientists aged 1-100+
Submit insect ID enquiries to bugirl@mail.com or send a Facebook message to Shasta Henry aka Bug Girl https://www.facebook.com/TasBugGirl/
Submissions should include the: LOCATION, DATE, SIZE (try including a coin in your photo)
WARNING: Some insects bite and some sting! Search respectfully – look but do not touch.
Click on this link for ideas from Shasta speaking in an interview with the ABC about catching and identifying bugs at home.
Inspirational Virtual Jigsaws
Some rare and precious gems from the Royal Society of Tasmania and UTAS Special and Rare Collections
Enjoy some jigsaws created by Heather Excell from the treasures of the UTAS Special and Rare Collections Library, including a map jigsaw from the Royal Society of Tasmania Map Collection:.
Click here to go to the jigsaws
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These images represent a very small sample of the cultural and historical records held in the collection.
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Explore the collections further, through the ONLINE ARCHIVE and WEBSITE
Heather Excell looks after our Royal Society of Tasmania Collection at the University of Tasmania library.
