The Royal Society of Tasmania

The advancement of knowledge

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Sir Joseph Banks – 2nd July, 2013

Sir Joseph Banks

Presentation by Mickey Benefiel
The Royal Society Room TMAG 19 Davey St Hobart
Tuesday, 2nd July 2013    Commencing 8.00 pm until  9.00 pm

About the Speaker

My personal interest in Joseph Banks is a result of my hobby which is Maritime History. I do not have a background in botany but did study marine biology in the 1960’s. As there were very poor prospects for the life sciences at the time, my career moved into computer related businesses. I have been an enthusiastic amateur historian since childhood, and a sailor of “Other Peoples” yachts for over 50 years. I am currently President of the University of the Third Age Clarence (U3A).

Brief Abstract of the Talk

Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820), naturalist, explorer, patron of science, was President of the Royal Society for 41 years. When the Royal Society persuaded the Admiralty to send James Cook in command of an expedition to observe the transit of Venus, it urged that ‘Joseph Banks … a Gentleman of large fortune … well versed in natural history’ should be permitted to join the expedition ‘with his Suite’. Banks joined the ship with a staff of eight. Only four of this party survived the voyage. This presentation covers Banks early years of development, adventure and exploration. And what a life it was!

Marine Biology Research – 23rd June, 2013

Subtidalhabitats and inhabitants of the Tamar Estuary

Presentation by Mr David Maynard
QVMAG – Inveresk
Sunday, 23rd June 2013    Commencing 2.00 pm until
This lecture is presented with the generous support of QVMAG

About the Speaker

David Maynard has been Curator of Natural Sciences at the Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery since 2012. His research interest is temperate marine biodiversity. Prior to this he lectured for 13 years on fisheries and marine environment related topics at the Australian Maritime College. David has a passion for cataloguing fish and marine invertebrates and does so through underwater photography. In 2010 David co-authored an exhibition and book Beneath the Tamar More Than Silt with AMC colleague Dr Troy Gaston.

Brief Abstract of the Talk

The Tamar River estuary is unique in many ways. It is Australia’s longest navigable waterway, receiving freshwater from nearly 1/5th of Tasmania’s landmass. This freshwater meets an estimated 300,000,000 cubic metres of salt water entering the system twice a day on the incoming tides. The estuary, Tamar Valley and the broader catchment supports diverse activities including heavy industry, shipping, agriculture and forestry, wineries, aquaculture, tourism, and population centres and includes significant protected areas, reserves and wetlands. All these contribute significant economic and social benefits to our region. However the Tamar River estuary has some image problems. Many in the community only recognise the estuary for the unsightly mud flats exposed in the upper reaches which impact on the aesthetics and amenity of the river. Below the surface of the Tamar is another world. This lecture presents a visual snapshot of the habitats and inhabitants that reside just below the Tamar’s surface waters that remain invisible to the broader community.

Cloud Seeding – 4th June, 2013

Presentation by Vaughan Latimer
The Royal Society Room
Tuesday, 4th June 2013    Commencing 8.00 pm until  9.00 pm

About the Speaker

Vaughan Latimer has achieved: Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Power),Certificate in Electrical Power Protection Systems, BSc (Hobart) in mathematics and computer Science, BSc (Hobart) with Honours (Mathematics), Holder of a current Pilots Licence since 1971 (PPL), From 1979 to 1992, I worked with the Hydro Electric Commission of Tasmania, primarily in the Protection and Test role. This involved commissioning the electrical protection in major substations and switch yards. (Reece Power Station and Farrell switchyard were the major items in commissioning. I moved into market outage management with Transend Networks and eventually with Hydro Tasmania. This role was to optimise scheduled (and unscheduled ) outages to maximise the dollar return to Hydro Tasmania. In 2003, I commenced working (concurrently) for the Cloud Seeding Group in Hydro Tasmania. This occupied about 12 % of my time and was chiefly involved in being placed on a roster to participate in the aerial based cloud-seeding program. In May 20th 2011, I took early retirement from Hydro Tasmania, but continued to work part time (April to October, 20 ~ 30 hours per month) in the Hydro Tasmania Cloud seeding program. In 2013, returned to the University of Tasmania to continue post graduate studies in physics, with an aim of progressing in atmospheric physics.

Brief Abstract of the Talk

The presentation will provide a brief outline of the history of cloud seeding as well as a non-technical discussion of the processes involved. This will touch on aspects of atmospheric physics and the chemistry of cloud seeding agents. The speaker will then discuss Hydro Tasmania’s role in cloud seeding as well as the Snowy Hydro’s exhaustive program. The methodology of the two authorities will then be detailed. The executive summary of the Snowy Mountain’s study and evaluation will be discussed. A brief discussion on world cloud seeding programs will then close the session.

Welcome to our new website

Welcome to the new website of The Royal Society of Tasmania.

The Royal Society of Tasmania is the oldest scientific society in Australia and New Zealand and the third oldest Royal Society in the Commonwealth.

The Society was founded in 1843 by Sir John Eardley-Wilmot, Lieutenant Governor, as the Botanical and Horticultural Society of Van Diemen’s Land. Its aim was to ‘develop the physical character of the Island and illustrate its natural history and productions’.

Queen Victoria became Patron in 1844 and the name was changed to The Royal Society of Tasmania of Van Diemen’s Land for Horticulture, Botany and the Advancement of Science. Under the current relevant Act of Parliament, passed in 1911, the name was shortened to The Royal Society of Tasmania. A branch of the Society was formed in Launceston in 1853. It lapsed but was reconstituted in 1921 and has continued since then.

In its early years, the Society established the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. It also began building up substantial collections of both art and natural history specimens, all housed in The Royal Society of Tasmania Museum. These collections became the basis of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery when, in 1885, the Society gave them to the Government, reserving ownership only of mostly works on paper. In 1965, these remaining works – some 700 – were placed on long-term loan with the state institution.

The Society also built up a substantial Library which is now housed in the Morris Miller Library in the University of Tasmania.

Systematic methods for Natural Disaster Risk Management – 7th May, 2013

Presentation by Dr Marlene Kanga FIEAust CPEng

The Royal Society Room TMAG 19 Davey St Hobart

Tuesday, 7th May 2013 Commencing 8.00 pm until 9.00 pm

Combined lecture with Members of Engineers Australia

 

About the Speaker

Dr. Marlene Kanga is National president of Engineers Australia and one of the most influential engineers in Australia. She is a Chartered chemical engineer with extensive experience in risk and safety engineering. Marlene is an experienced business leader and is Director of iOmniscient Pty. Ltd. which has developed patented software technology for automated camera based surveillance systems, currently used in smart city projects and winner of a National Engineering Excellence Award in 2010. As a member of the Engineers Australia Council since 2007, she has been responsible for many transformational changes especially to make the profession more inclusive. In 2012, she was Chair of the Innovation Task Force promoting innovation in engineering. Marlene was Chair of the National Committee for Women in Engineering in 2008 and 2009 and is currently a Board Member of the International Network for Women Engineers and Scientists. She represents Australia at the World Federation of Engineering Organisations and hosts an international committee which is developing resources for natural disaster risk management in developing countries. To hear Dr Kanga interviewed by Ryk Goddard, 936 ABC Hobart Breakfast Show paste this link into your browser. http://blogs.abc.net.au/tasmania/2013/05/how-to-plan-for-natural-disasters-and-why-women-dont-have-to-be-better-than-men-anymore.html

 

Brief Abstract of the Talk

The increasing trend in the number and severity of natural disasters has increased the level of devastation and loss to people all around the world. These events threaten the sustainable development and security of people. The application of sound principles of systematic natural disaster risk management is therefore becoming increasingly important. This presentation will provide an overview of systematic natural disaster risk management and the role of both structural and non-structural measures for sustainable construction and development. The use of such measures, supported by high level government policy, is important for all countries but especially less developed ones where widespread damage after a natural disaster has a significant human and economic cost. Approaches to natural disaster risk management used by in different parts of Australia will be presented as case studies to demonstrate the benefits of good practices for sustainable development.

A Working, Clean Coal Power Station: an Experiment to Combat Climate Change – Mr Barry Waining – 28 April 2013

Presentation by Mr Barry Waining

QVMAG – Inveresk

Sunday, 28th April 2013 Commencing 2.00 pm until

Please RSVP by Thursday 25 April 6323 3798

 

About the Speaker

MR WAINING won an Engineering Cadetship in 1960 to attend Sydney University and graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering. He worked in the Electricity Commission of NSW until 1981 before becoming Chief Engineer of Mitsubishi Australia Ltd. In he 1986 moved to position of Chief Engineer Mitsui & Co Australia and to General Manager Commercial in IHI Engineering Australia Pty Ltd in 1993. He was appointed as Director & Chief General Manager in 2000 until retirement in September 2008. Mr Waining worked his entire professional career on heavy engineering projects including Power Stations Steelworks and shipping amongst other smaller projects.

 

Brief Abstract of the Talk

Australia’s electricity consumption is growing at about 2% per annum. 75% of this supply is generated using coal as a fuel. With the total installed coal fired capacity in excess of 40,000MW replacement costs in the power generating equipment would be in excess of $80 billion without considering the newly developing and expensive low emission technologies. To address the growing concern of carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas, something needs to be done to clean up the emissions from existing generating plants. The presentation will focus on one of the ‘clean coal’ technologies – that of firing black coal in oxygen which produces combustion products of carbon dioxide and water vapour. After removal of the water vapour, the carbon dioxide can be conveniently compressed into a liquid form for geosequestration underground.

Edgeworth David in Antarctica – 9th April 2013

Presentation by Dr Jenny Gardner

TMAG-meet at main entrance in the courtyardHobart

Tuesday, 9th April 2013 Commencing 8.00 pm until 9.00 pm

Please note: minor change of venue

 

About the Speaker

Dr Jenny Gardner was, until 2004, a lecturer in the Faculty of Education at the University of Tasmania, Launceston. She then moved to the Centre for University Learning and Teaching in Hobart where she worked with both staff and students across all faculties to support academic teaching and learning. She is the great grand-daughter of Professor Sir Edgeworth David.

 

Brief Abstract of the Talk

Professor Sir Edgeworth David (1858 – 1934), while virtually unknown now (except in Antarctic and geological circles), played a significant role in Shackelton’s 1907-9 expedition. In 1908-9 he lead the three man Northern Party to the South Magnetic Pole. With him was his former student, Douglas Mawson, and Alistair Forbes Mackay. This four month journey of 2027 km was the longest unsupported sled journey until the mid 1980’s (when radio and air rescue was available). It was a remarkable feat of endurance for the three men.

Call of the Abyss: Caverneering & the Mole Creek Karst System – Mr Paul Richards – 24 March 2013

Presentation by Mr Paul A C Richards, MSc

QVMAG – Inveresk

Sunday, 24th March 2013 Commencing 2.00 pm until 3.00 pm

AGM at 1.45 pm followed by lecture at 2.00 pm

 

About the Speaker

Mr Richards is a Nuclear Medicine Scientist, University Lecturer, researcher, author, and artisan and has, for 50 years, worked and researched within the Tasmanian health system, overseas medical institutions and universities in the UK and USA. In more recent times he was senior lecturer at Charles Sturt University where he inaugurated and developed an undergraduate and postgraduate degree in Nuclear Medicine. Since 2001, he has written several books on medical history and co-ordinates and tutorsMasters subjects in Radiation Sciences at Sydney University

 

Brief Abstract of the Talk

Mr Paul Richards is a Launceston-based Nuclear Medicine scientist with a passion for geology and caverneering, which drew him to explore the subterranean world of the Mole Creek karst system at the base of the Western Tiers. Karst is terrain with distinctive landforms and drainage characteristics resulting from the relatively high solubility of certain rock types in natural waters. It often drains through natural subterranean conduits, some of which have become caves, large enough for humans to enter. The Mole Creek area is renowned for its spectacular caves, including Marakoopa, through which a karst stream flows allowing glow=worms to survive. Mr Richards will describe his experiences as a caverneer in this region in the 1960’s

Treating osteoarthritis with bone acting agents – 5th March 2013

Presentation by Dawn Dore PhD

Clarence Seniors and Citizens Centre, 17 Alma St Bellerive

Tuesday, 5th March 2013 Commencing 7.30 pm until 9.00 pm

AGM at 7.30 followed by lecture at 8.00pm

 

About the Speaker

Dawn Dore is the winner of the Royal Society of Tasmania Doctoral Award for 2012

 

Brief Abstract of the Talk

: Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder in the world and in Western populations is one of the most frequent causes of pain, loss of function, and disability in adults. Despite its large disease burden, there are no proven preventative strategies as its aetiology is poorly understood. This talk will give an overview of my PhD thesis which supports a role for bone changes in the early stages of the disease and provides evidence for targeted bone treatments to both prevent and treat osteoarthritis.