Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science (ANZAAS)

ANZAAS has a long and proud history. The association was founded more than 100 years ago, modelled on the British Association for the Advancement of Science. In early years the ANZAAS congresses were the scientific event in Australia, and despite the difficulties of travel were attended by a majority of practising scientists from around the country. Many important scientific discoveries were announced at Congresses. Congress handbooks remain important sources of knowledge about regions in Australia. Congresses were organised into disciplinary sections - as science developed more and more of these sections spawned separate specialist societies, most of which now hold conferences of their own. ANZAAS can truly be regarded as the parent of much national scientific activity. The success of its many offspring has meant a change in focus for ANZAAS.

Today attention is concentrated more on promoting the importance on science in general, and on the need to promote interdisciplinary studies. The continuing evolution of core disciplines provides the foundation for new science, but many or new advances are likely to arise from the intersections between disciplines. Despite frequent claims as to the vital need to support inter and multidisciplinary science, the reality is that governments and granting bodies have been slow in backing rhetoric with funds - ANZAAS can help keep the case for 'new' science before government. The old style congress is no longer viable - help ANZAAS develop new ways of promoting its message.