News – Page 15

National Reconciliation Week 2022

The National Reconciliation Week 2022 theme, “Be Brave – Make Change” is a challenge to all Australians to tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation for the benefit of all Australians.

Reconciliation Tasmania – https://rectas.com.au/ – is the statewide body promoting reconciliation for all Tasmanians. Reconciliation Tasmania will play a major role in organising and running events during National Reconciliation Week – 27 May to 3 June, 2022.

These events include a lunchtime forum in Hobart (27 May) and breakfasts in Hobart (1 June), Devonport (2 June) and Launceston (3 June).

Uluru Statement Custodian, Thomas Mayor, and 2022 Tasmanian Young Australian of the Year, Kaytlyn Johnson, will be guest speakers at the breakfast events.

For more details and bookings, go to https://rectas.com.au/national-reconciliation-week .

Little bird of lutruwita: Saving Tasmania’s forty-spotted pardalote

The Royal Society of Tasmania invites all members and supporters to a lecture on Sunday 19 June 2022, at 3 pm by Dr Sally Bryant. The lecture will be presented at the Royal Society of Tasmania Lecture Room in TMAG (entrance off Dunn Place, Hobart) and as a Zoom webinar.

If you wish to attend in person: Register using Eventbrite before 4 pm Saturday 18 June using this link.

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

If you wish to attend 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.

Once found on King Island and the eastern half of Tasmania, the forty-spotted pardalote is one of only ten Australian bird species now extinct from over 90% of its former range. Listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and Federal and State legislation, this tiny woodland specialist is intrinsically linked to one eucalypt type, making it highly vulnerable and often out-competed as more aggressive species continue to spread.

Forty-spotted pardalote.
Image: Nomdeploom at English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons.

Described as one of the world’s most unique birds by being able to stimulate its own food resource, survival of the forty-spotted pardalote in a rapidly changing climate has never been more precarious.

After graduating from UTAS in 1989, Dr Sally Bryant worked for 18 years as a wildlife scientist for the Tasmanian Government, seven as Manager of the Threatened Species Section. In 2009 she joined the Tasmanian Land Conservancy to develop their science and monitoring program and build their network of private reserves which now span over 30,000 ha.

Sally has travelled widely researching island species especially threatened birds and has authored and co-authored several books, chapters and numerous scientific papers and technical reports on wildlife conservation. In 2020 she became an Honorary Research Fellow with the TLC, Editor of the Journal Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania and is perhaps best known through her popular ABC Radio wildlife talkback program delivered fortnightly since 1999. She is a passionate advocate for Tasmania’s wildlife and Chair of the Forty-spotted Pardalote National Recovery Team.

View the recording of the lecture by Dr Indrani Mukherjee – March 2022

The lecture “Understanding Early Earth Environments” is now available on the RST YouTube channel.

The transition of a simple cell into a complex one, billions of years ago, is the reason we share the planet with millions of species today. Indrani Mukherjee’s research focuses on “what drove that biological transition?” The approach involves a nuanced understanding of ancient marine environments, via novel and cutting-edge geochemical techniques.

Indrani earned her BSc Honours and Masters in Geology at the University of Delhi where she was also awarded the university gold medal for securing the highest marks in MSc. She completed her PhD at UTas in 2018 where she is a lecturer and postdoctoral researcher in Earth Sciences, and was awarded the 2021 Vice-Chancellor’s Early Career Award.

View the recording of the lecture by Dr Lisa Gershwin – April 2022

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.

A Brave New Plant Biosecurity System

The Royal Society of Tasmania, Northern Branch, invites you to a public lecture at 1.30 pm on Sunday 22 May 2022 by Andrew Bishop, in the Meeting Room of QVMAG (Inveresk). Full COVID vaccination and the wearing of face masks are highly desirable for anyone attending in person. Admission is free for members of the Royal Society of Tasmania. The charge is $4 for students, QVMAG Friends, TMAG Friends, and members of Launceston Historical Society. For all others, admission is $6.

Andrew Bishop

You may if you wish view the lecture remotely via ZOOM. In this case you must register in advance to ensure that you receive an email containing instructions for joining the webinar on the day of the talk. Click here to register for ZOOM.

Click here to view the latest flyer for the event and print if necessary.

Technology and innovation are revolutionizing how we manage the rapidly increasing threats from exotic pests and diseases to our agriculture, environment, and amenity. This ranges from powerful data gathering and big data analysis that generates advance warnings of impending threats, through to molecular and GPS based tracking systems and electronically connected smart surveillance systems.

Andrew is Tasmania’s Chief Plant Protection Officer with Biosecurity Tasmania, having responsibility for decision making in the development and maintenance of the Tasmanian plant biosecurity system, including emergency responses and responsibility for representation (state and national). He has 33 years’ experience working in government in Tasmania and Victoria..

Generously supported by

A Book Review: “The Dawning of Antarctica”

A Book Review for The Royal Society of Tasmania by John Williamson

Patrick G. Quilty, 2021 The Dawning of Antarctica: Through Exploration to Occupation, Hobart: Dr Eva Meidl, pp. 474

This splendid, comprehensive, compendium of every aspect of Antarctic history is a very welcome addition for all scholars of the southern continent. Professor Patrick Quilty AM was Chief Scientist for the Australian Antarctic Division for 18 years and devoted much of his later years to writing this vast and authoritative book on the human history of the Antarctic continent.

Quilty states that his aim for the book is to “summarise … the human history of the exploration of the Antarctic prior to the International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957—1958”, and indeed he is able to accomplish this in minute, complex detail. He explains for us the early perceptions of what and where Antarctica was. He examines the role of James Cook through a thorough and authoritative assessment of his second voyage and the circumnavigation of Antarctica. The author is at pains to explain the various claims and counter claims of early Antarctic explorers and his in-depth analysis of logs and journals is impressive as he places those claims as accurately as is possible onto modern maps. For example, the way Quilty analyses von Bellingshausen’s interpretations of the coast, and compares them with a modern map of the South Sandwich Islands, clarifies, for modern readers and researchers, how early explorers charted the coastline they saw – or thought they saw – and to which parts of Antarctica these actually refer. This requires very good understanding of the original logs and journals of 19^th century explorers. Sir Guy Green, in his fine Foreword to this book, notes how thoroughly and successfully Professor Quilty locates, interprets and utilises these primary sources.

Quilty deals in a balanced way with a wide range of issues: the quality and immensity of Thaddeus von Bellingshausen’s voyage in the Southern Ocean; the “Hollow Earth” theories of the early 19^th century and the realities of islands and land that were thought (incorrectly) to exist. His writing on the three major national expeditions during the middle of the 19^th century (US, French and British), is clear about the challenges they faced and the success they nevertheless achieved. Quilty’s maps of the journeys of these three significant expeditions, are immensely satisfying as they are clear, accurate and they point out locational problem areas and suggest solutions to geographical issues that have arisen. This is analytical history at its best and it is a reflection of Quilty’s vast store of knowledge gleaned over many decades of research.

The organisation of this book signposts themes with appropriate headings, with images and maps set in the text to which they refer. His decision to divide the so-called “heroic era” into sub-sections is well advised. This allows Quilty to provide correct weighting not only to the much-referenced expeditions of Scott, Shackleton, Amundsen and Mawson, but also to those whose journeys are often ignored: Charcot, Bruce, Nordenskjöld and Wilkins. The early 20^th century years of exploration are the key moments of this volume. Told with verve and rigour, these voyages become even more fascinating as Quilty examines the complexity of the individuals involved as well as providing an assessment of their scientific and geographical achievements. While managing to avoid controversy over issues such as Scott’s management in a crisis or Amundsen’s actions in going south instead of to the north, Quilty nonetheless makes his views clear and is not afraid of examining the behaviour and leadership of these explorers. His summation of the differing styles of leadership (pp. 234–235) is masterly. There are, throughout the book, excellent biographies of principal characters such as Scott, Shackleton, Wilkins, Byrd et al. and these are generous and fair but show that the author is not blind to the flaws in each personality. These chapters are supported by accurate maps, diagrams and reproductions of paintings which add to the intellectual complexity of this substantial monograph.

The concluding chapters, which discuss the years of World War II and the decades leading up to, and including, the 1957–1958 International Geophysical Year (IGY), are particularly thoughtful, because this is the era with which Quilty had the closest association. He refines our focus on the major scientific drivers of change of that period examining the great importance of the IGY and this provides a strong basis for his general discussion of internationally co-ordinated research in Antarctica. Of course, Professor Quilty’s own research endeavours on the southern continent provide substance to his analysis. It would be hasty to say that it is a pity the book does not develop the story past 1958; but that is merely disappointment on our part that we do not have Professor Quilty’s version of recent events.

Twelve years in the making, this book has been a labour of love, necessity and great scholarship by Professor Quilty. His passion for Antarctic history is obvious. It is also appropriate that we offer our sincere thanks to those who so carefully edited, after the author’s death, his vast array of text and maps – Margaret Davies, June Pongratz and Eva Meidl. Professor Quilty has left us a fitting legacy and, as Hobart continues to develop its reputation as a major global hub for Antarctic Science, this volume will take its place as one of the most important set of readings on human activity on the ice. Professor Quilty was a world class scientist, and the publication of this book will confirm, in addition, his reputation as an historian of significance.

John Williamson
Hobart, 2022

Geology, landscape and European settlement: small things meant a lot

A Joint lecture of the Royal Society of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Division of the Geological Society of Australia

The Royal Society of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Division of the Geological Society of Australia, invite all members and supporters to a lecture on Sunday 15 May 2022, at 3 pm by Dr Tony Webster.

NOTE THE CHANGE OF VENUE. The lecture will be presented at the Geology Lecture Theatre (Geo.211.LT), Earth Sciences – Geography Planning and Spatial Sciences Building, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay (entrance off Earl Street, Hobart) and as a Zoom webinar.

If you wish to attend in person: Register using Eventbrite before 4 pm Saturday 14 May using this link . The password is RST.

Attendance at this joint event is free.

If you wish to attend 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.

Historical accounts of the first European responses to Australian landscapes rarely mention the ways that their decisions were influenced by the terrain. This talk is about the role that geology and landscape played in the places chosen for permanent European settlements in Australia, and in the earliest land-use choices made as they adapted to their new environments. The most historically significant sites of first European settlement are now occupied by the modern central business districts of Australia’s largest cities and are now intensely urbanised and modified landscapes. Using examples from Hobart, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth, it will be shown that despite the intensity of two centuries of urban development and landscape modification, the geology and pre-European landscapes of these places had a profound influence on their early development. It will also be shown that the effects of the original landforms remain deeply embedded in the modern urban landscapes.

Dawes Point (Sydney) facing Sydney Harbour Bridge 2022

Dr Anthony (Tony) Webster

Tony is a Hobart-based consulting geologist working with GeoDiscovery Group Ltd. He has spent over 30 years in the mining industry, academia and government, working in and around several historically significant base metal and gold mines, including Broken Hill and Kalgoorlie, Zeehan, Mount Farrell, and Rosebery (Hercules). Tony started his career as an underground mine geologist on the Golden Mile (Fimiston) but has since worked in a variety of roles, including mining heritage, environmental regulation and research roles in Tasmania and Queensland. Tony has particular skills in structural geology, historic data compilation and analysis, and the geological interpretation of complex mineralised systems.

Tony is currently Vice President of the Royal Society of Tasmania. He is also an Honorary Senior Fellow of both the University of Tasmania and the University of Queensland. He was formerly Chair of the Queensland Division, Geological Society of Australia and an Associate Editor of the Australian Journal of Earth Sciences.

View the recording of the lecture by Prof Kate Warner and David Owen – March 2022

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 Lost Thylacines

The Royal Society of Tasmania, Northern Branch, invites you to a public lecture on Sunday 24 April 2022 at 1.30 pm, by Kathryn Medlock, in the Meeting Room of QVMAG (Inveresk). Full COVID vaccination and the wearing of face masks are highly desirable for anyone attending in person. Admission is free for members of the Royal Society of Tasmania. The charge is $4 for students, QVMAG Friends, TMAG Friends, and members of Launceston Historical Society. For all others, admission is $6.

Click here to view the latest flyer for the event and print if necessary.

The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery has a large and significant collection of thylacine specimens, however many more came into the museum than currently exist in the collection. This presentation will explain the fate of some of the ‘missing’ specimens and review the display history of thylacines at TMAG.

Patrick Hall 1998 (TMAG exhibition poster)

Kathryn Medlock worked in vertebrate zoology at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery for 35 years. Her many tasks included specimen preparation, collection management, research, education and exhibition curation. An exhibition on the thylacine in 1998 sparked her interest in the multiple facets of museum thylacine specimens and how the specimens themselves can reveal aspects of human culture, history and science.

Generously supported by

Jellyfish Blooms and the Future of the Ocean

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.