About the GSA

The Geological Society of Australia was established as a non-profit organisation in 1952 to promote, advance and support Earth sciences in Australia.

Mission Statement

Vision: Earth Science is a driver for a better world.
Description: The Geological Society of Australia represents all Earth Science disciplines.
Mission: The Mission of the Geological Society of Australia is to promote and advance Earth Science.


In order to achieve this Mission, the GSA will:

  1. Promote the understanding and importance of Earth Science, and the status of Earth Scientists

  2. Influence decision-making processes to support geoscience education, research and employment

  3. Provide professional development opportunities

  4. Communicate with and inform the Earth Science community

  5. Practise good governance and management.

As a broadly based professional society that aims to represent all Earth Science disciplines, the GSA attracts
a wide diversity of members working in a similarly broad range of industries. This diversity is one of the great
strengths of the Society, but can also be challenging when it comes to setting priorities for the GSA.

Promote the understanding and importance of Earth Science, and the status of Earth Scientists

  • Media campaigns
  • Public forums
  • Public Lecture Series proposal and requirements
  • Outreach programs
  • Awards and Fellowships
  • Apps for the general public
  • National Rock Garden

Influence decision-making processes to support geoscience education, research and employment

  • Government
  • Academia
  • Primary and secondary teaching
  • Industry

Provide professional development opportunities

  • Biennial conference (Australian Earth Sciences Convention - AESC)
  • National seminars and workshops
  • Divisional and Specialist Group seminars and meetings
  • Produce and sell commercial apps with geological technical information
  • Professional Standards and Code of Ethics
  • Accredited Geoscientist Program

Communicate with and inform the Earth Science community

  • Peer-reviewed scientific journals 
  • Periodicals and special publications
  • Website
  • Online publications and digital resources
  • Social media

Practise good governance and management

  • Strategy to grow and retain membership from a wide range of disciplines
  • Management of funds
  • Collaborations with peer societies and peak bodies
  • Representatives on the Australian Geoscience Council and on the Australian Science & Technology Council
  • Corporate and institutional partnerships
  • Identify operational improvements
  • Review GSA staff resources
  • Work closely with Divisions, Branches, Specialist Groups and Standing Committees
  • Develop all-of-GSA budget, including reserve funds

 

The GSA Governing Council will meet, either face-to-face or via teleconference, at least four times a year to assess progress against these objectives.
[reported in the Australian Geologist, #173]

Key strategies are to:

  • cater for a wide diversity of members.
  • influence the decision making processes of government, particularly to support geoscience research and teaching.
  • encourage and promote wider community awareness and application of Earth sciences.
  • provide media and forums for communication in the Earth sciences.

The Society 's members represent all Earth science professions, including geologists, geophysicists, geochemists, palaeontologists, geotechnical and engineering geologists, environmental geologists, and associated professions. Members come from the minerals and petroleum industries, government departments, research and education institutions and consultancy groups.

The GSA is managed by a National Executive, with an administration office in Sydney. Standing Committees provide an important focus for national issues.

The Society has a Division in each state and territory, as well as branches in the Hunter Valley and Broken Hill. Regular meetings are held Australia-wide, at which Members may keep in touch with scientific developments, present the results of their work and contribute to discussions on vocational and scientific topics. Specialist Groups cater to different sectors of the Earth sciences.

The GSA publishes journals and periodicals for Earth scientists and the wider community. AJES, The Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, is the official journal of the Geological Society of Australia, and publishes papers on all aspects of earth science. TAG, The Australian Geologist, is GSA's quarterly member magazine which includes technical and special features, society news, conference details, regular reports, book reviews and other items of interest to Earth scientists. The e-zine, geoz is an Australian Earth sciences news service available free to members and non-members.

The Society encourages and recognises excellence in the Earth sciences through awards such as the WR Browne, Medal, Carey Medal, Joe Harms Medal and FL Stillwell Award, as well as Divisional and Specialist Group awards for outstanding scientific contributions.

We are a member of the Australian Geoscience Council, through which we maintain communication with the Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies, who represent scientific societies to the Australian Federal Government. We also make submissions on national issues on behalf of the Australian Earth science community.