The Society was founded in 1874 and incorporated in 1884. Successful establishment of the Society was due in large part to the dedication and financial support of its first President, Sir William Macleay (1820-1891). He provided the Society with its original accommodation and staff, set up a library and established the Proceedings (1875).
In addition to substantial gifts to the Society during his life, Sir William bequeathed a large sum for the employment of a Research Bacteriologist at the University of Sydney.
The first Macleay Bacteriologist was appointed in 1898. From 1955 revenue from the Bacteriology fund has been used as a contribution to the salary of a Linnean Macleay Lecturer in Microbiology. In 1903 a further bequest became available for provision of the annual Linnean Macleay Fellowship. In 1958 Council established the biennial Sir William Macleay Memorial Lecture.
Originally, the Society occupied various offices around the city of Sydney including the Garden Palace, where it fell victim to the disastrous fire of 1882. Macleay then provided more permanent headquarters at Linnean House, Elizabeth Bay, where it remained until 1924. It then moved back to the city at College Street until 1931, to Science House in Gloucester Street until 1976 and to the Science Centre in Clarence Street until 1983. After a number of years at Cliff St., Milsons Point, the Society moved briefly to Bunnerong Road, Matraville in September, 1999 and then moved to Gardeners Road, Kingsford in September, 2000. From April 2019 the Society will be meeting at the State Library of NSW.
Activities and benefits to members of the Society
- Meetings, such as the biennial Sir William Macleay Memorial Lecture, delivered by a person eminent in some branch of Natural Science.
- Annual offer to University of Sydney graduates of a Linnean Macleay Fellowship for research
- Grants supporting relevant research projects from the Joyce W. Vickery Scientific Research Fund; Betty Mayne Earth Sciences Research Fund and William Macleay Microbiological Research Fund.
- Publications, including the internationally recognised Proceedings
- A quarterly Newsletter
- Occasional Symposia on Natural History subjects
The affairs of the Society are administered by a Council of 18 members, six of whom retire each year but are eligible for re-election. The President, Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and Honorary Editor constitute the Executive Committee.
Officers and Council 2021-2022
President: Ian Percival
Vice-Presidents: John Barkas, Robert King
Honorary Treasurer: Ian Percival
Secretary: Jean-Claude Herremans
Council: John Barkas, Hayley Bates, Doug Benson, Daniel Bickel, Jean-Claude Herremans, Ian Hill, David Keith, Robert King, Peter Myerscough, Peter Olde, Ian Percival, John Pickett, Helen Smith, Bruce Welch, Karen Wilson.
Honorary Editor: Mike Augee
Auditors: Phil Williams Carbonara
The society has a Research Committee which administers the Joyce W Vickery Scientific Research Fund for Biological Sciences, the Betty Mayne Scientific Research Fund for Earth Sciences, and the William Macleay Microbiology Research Fund. The Rescearch Committee provides advice to the Council of the Society on the awarding of Grants from these Funds as well as the recipient of the Macleay Fellowship, the John Noble Award and the Surrey Jacobs Award. The Research Committee members are registered with the CSIRO to comply with federal government requirements.
Our Editor is supported by an Editorial Advisory Committee.
John Barkas, Hayley Bates, Doug Benson, Daniel Bickel, Jean-Claude Herremans, Ian Hill, David Keith, Robert King, Peter Myerscough, Peter Olde, Ian Percival, John Pickett, Helen Smith, Bruce Welch, Karen Wilson
