Royal Geographical Society of South Australia

One of the oldest geographical organisations in the world, the RGSSA was founded in Adelaide on 10 July 1885, and held its first meeting on 22 October of that year with Sir Samuel Davenport as President. Whilst the parent organisation failed, South Australia's so-called Branch Without a Tree functioned autonomously and prospered independently, ultimately adopting its present name in 1996. == Society connections ==

Since its inception in 1885 the Society has served individuals as well as private and public organisations by facilitating quests for new pastoral runs, mineral locations, and water. Difficult as it is to imagine in the 21st century, much of the country was not mapped until World War Two. Many of the State's movers and shakers agitated for, or were a part of, the early Society. They included “men of substance and ability” such as Thomas Elder, Samuel Way, Samuel Davenport, Charles Todd, Henry Ayers, John Langdon Bonython, John Lavington Bonython, George Kennion, John Anderson Hartley, Robert Barr Smith, Josiah Simon, Robert Kyffin Thomas, John Bakewell, David Murray, George Farr, Walter Tyas and in the 1950s, Warren Bonython, Thomas Magarey, Charles Hope Harris, and George Goyder. In the early-to late 20th century the Society was served by many distinguished geographers who have come to be associated with it, including Archibald (Archie) Grenfell Price, who was on Council for the remarkable period of 1924–62 and President from 1937 to 1938, Charles Fenner (President from 1931 to 1932), Leonard Keith Ward, and Douglas Mawson. More recently active members and leaders have included a number of celebrated scholars such as Fay Gale, Iain Hay, Les Heathcote, and Guy Robinson. The Society also has current connections with the History Trust of South Australia through its History Network and Museums and Collections initiative. The Society also has links with a range of institutions and geographical organisations including South Australia's universities, the Institute of Australian Geographers, Geography Teachers’ Association of South Australia, Royal Geographical Society of Queensland, the Australian Academy of Science, the International Geographical Union, and the Royal Geographical Society/Institute of British Geographers (RGS/IBG). == Activities ==

To understand the Society's activities from 1885 to the present it is important to understand the historical-geographic context within which the Society was located. In its early years the RGSSA played a significant role in supporting and promoting geographical exploration, particularly within the Australian continent. For example, a good deal of the colonial exploration of inland Australia was conducted with private sponsorship and in the name of the RGSSA, with the Society playing a role in two major late-nineteenth century expeditions, namely the Elder Expedition and Calvert Expedition in Western Australia. Moreover, the Society's focus transitioned from primarily supporting physical exploration as Australia's interior became more thoroughly explored and mapped to a broader engagement with geographical science. This involved a greater emphasis on education, research, and public awareness as stated publicly in the Society's Purpose and expressed through publications, lectures, public forums, awards, excursions and field trips, exhibitions, monument restoration, and continued maintenance of its extensive library. For example, the society has an active publication program, highlighted by a guidebooks program including Exploring the Barossa, Discover Kangaroo Island, and Explore the Flinders Ranges; its Antipodean Perspectives in Geography book series which publishes short, high-impact monographs and edited collections in geography and allied disciplines; and a scholarly journal South Australian Geographical Journal published initially from 1885 as the Society's Proceedings and changed to the current title from 1996. The Society also offers research grants, namely Dorothy Pyatt Postgraduate Research Grants for postgraduate research students and Library Research Fellowship. and numerous awards for volunteer and scholarly activity. ==Awards==

The Society offers a number of awards to school students, undergraduate and postgraduate students, Society volunteers, and others who have made contributions to objects of the Society. The John Lewis Gold Medal for Exploration/Geographical Research/Literary Work in Geography" in honour of John Lewis, who was president for seven years from 1913 to 1920. It continues to be awarded . Gold Medallists receive a medal, a certificate, and a citation. The John Lewis Prize for Excellence in Doctoral Research in Geography Medal is awarded to a higher-degree student at a South Australian university "who has made a significant theoretical or empirical contribution to geography through the completion of a PhD (or equivalent)." It was formerly known as the John Lewis Silver Medal. The Centenary Silver Medal "was established in 1992 to mark the 1985 centenary of the Society. It is awarded to a past or present member of the RGSSA to recognise their outstanding service to the Society as evidenced by long and active tenure on the Council and/or Committees of the Society or by significant contributions to the varied activities of the Society." Honorary Life Membership of the RGSSA is made "to non-members of RGSSA who have rendered valuable service in the promotion, or furtherance of all or any of the objects of the Society." Fellowship of the RGSSA "is for members of RGSSA who have made significant contributions to advancing the objects of the Society." The G W Symes Award is "made to a worthy recipient who has authored an academic, peer-reviewed publication that relates to the history of South Australia (or the Northern Territory in so far that is affects the history of South Australia, recognising the intimate historical links between these two jurisdictions) and that is substantially informed by the discipline of geography." == The RGSSA Library ==

Amongst its activities the Society continues to maintain one of South Australia's most significant cultural assets and one of the Society's key resources, a Library whose depth and diversity make it unique. including maps, manuscripts and photographs as well as books on the history of geography and Australian and world exploration. A collection of historical artefacts, largely to do with exploration is also held. The York Gate acquisition set up a special accommodation arrangement whereby items are made available to the public for all time in return for the provision of library space. Initially housed in purpose-built premises in the Institute Building, the Society is currently located in the Mortlock wing of the main State Library Building on North Terrace. The Library’s oldest book is a beautifully bound version of Ptolemy’s Geographia from 1482, along with 26 other books from before 1599 including two Ortelius atlases (1571 and 1598). Other rare atlases include two Colom atlases (c.1650 and 1670) and Mercator’s atlas (1635). The manuscript collection includes many significant items such as Joseph Banks’ manuscripts (1768, 1811), John McDouall Stuart’s diary of his fifth expedition (1861–62), and two letters by Colonel William Light. Through the Library and its other activities the Society continues to play an important role in underpinning and advancing geographical knowledge in South Australia and beyond. == Governance ==

The Society is governed by an elected Council chaired by the President. The Society also has a Director. The Society’s business is managed by a series of Committees responsible to the Council. These committees include: Education; Engagement and Communications; Executive and Administration; GeoNext (for young and early career members); Investment; Library Management; Program; and Research Publications and Awards. The Society's joint Patrons are Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, and Mr Rod Bunten. Councillors are expected to observe a Code of Conduct. Presidents • 1885–1894: Sir Samuel Davenport • 1885–1887: Sir Thomas Elder (Acting) • 1894–1895: George W. Goyder • 1895–1900: Simpson Newland • 1900–1903: R.K. Thomas • 1902–1903: Simpson Newland (Acting) • 1903–1907: Hon. Sir Langdon Bonython • 1907–1910: William Birkinshaw Wilkinson • 1910–1913: Arthur W. Piper • 1913–1920: Hon. John Lewis • 1920–1922: Simpson Newland • 1922–1925: Edwin Mitchell Smith • 1925–1930: Alfred.Allen.Simpson • 1930–1931: L. Keith Ward • 1931–1932: Charles E. Fenner (resigned 14 February 1932) • 1932: Sir Douglas Mawson • 1932–1933: R.H. Pulleine • 1933–1936: Ferdinand.Lucas Parker • 1936–1937: Victor.Marra Newland • 1937–1938: Sir Archibald Grenfell Price • 1938–1943: George C. Morphett • 1943–1947: Clive Melville Hambridge • 1947–1950: His Honour Sir Herbert Mayo • 1950–1953: Harold Jack Finniss • 1953–1954: F. Clarence Martin • 1954–1957: Maj.-Gen. George William Symes • 1957–1958: G.H. Lawton • 1958–1961: C. Warren Bonython • 1961–1963: C.L. Alexander • 1963–1965: B.C. Newland • 1965–1967: Kenneth Peake-Jones • 1967–1970: Murray McCaskill • 1970–1971: Bruce Mason • 1971–1973: Ronald Leslie Heathcote • 1973–1975: W.J.H. Slaytor • 1975–1977: Martin Williams • 1977–1979: C.R. Whitaker • 1979–1981: Colin R. Harris • 1981–1984: Brian J. Ward • 1986–1988: Bruce F. Macdonald • 1989–1991: Uni A.M. Carnegie • 1992–1993: I. Jock Makin • 1993–1997: Rod J. Shearing • 1998–1999: John Seaton • 2000–2003: Sue Barker • 2003–2005: Peter Smailes • 2006–2007: Nicholas Newland • 2008–2017: Rod J. Shearing • 2018–present : Leigh Radford Directors • 2022–present: Iain Hay == See also ==