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Awards of the Royal Geographical Society of South Australia
Founded 10th July 1885
Research Grants; use this link Research
Grants
THE JOHN LEWIS AWARDS
1. The John Lewis Gold Medal
The late Hon. John Lewis, CMG, MLC, who died in 1923, was a member of the Society for many years, was elected to Council in 1908, and was President for seven years, 1914 - 1920.
He was elected to the Legislative Council in 1897, and was keenly interested in land matters, particularly in the Northern Territory where, during the construction of the Overland Telegraph Line, he ran the "Express" between the construction camps, working from north to south until the line was joined up.
The family of the late Hon. John Lewis, Dr J. Brook Lewis, Major Gilbert Lewis, Mr Essington Lewis, Mrs Lance Lewis, Mrs A J Melrose, and Mrs George Cowan, in memory of their late father, presented to the South Australian Branch of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia, his portrait and a sum of 950 pounds. The Society recently changed its name to the Royal Geographical Society of South Australia.
Gold Medals, to be known respectively as the John Lewis Medal "for Exploration", or "for Geographical Research", or "for Literary Work in Geography", as the case may be, are awarded from time to time by the society for noteworthy Geographical achievements in Exploration, Research or Literary Work undertaken while the nominee is resident in Australasia. The awards are to be entirely at the discretion of the Council, but the donors desire that they should be made at reasonable intervals.
1 The conferral of this award by the Society's Council acknowledges noteworthy geographical achievements in Exploration or Research or Literary Work. The awards are made at the discretion of the council to persons whose work was undertaken while resident in Australasia.
2 The Gold Medals are known respectively as the John Lewis Gold Medal "for Exploration' or "for Geographical Research" or "for Literary Work in Geography".
3 Any person may nominate in writing a candidate they consider appropriate. Nominations must be supported by a seconder and should set out the reasons why the candidate is considered appropriate, with particular reference to noteworthy geographical achievements in at least one of the three award categories [ see 1 and 2 above].
In addition the names and addresses of at least two referees who have agreed to support the nomination should be forwarded with the nomination.
4 A recipient of the John Lewis Gold Medal is normally expected to appear in person for public presentation, which is usually preceded by the reading of a formal citation stating succintly the achievements being acknowledged. The citation is published with a photograph of the recipient in the Society's Journal.
Previous recipients include Professor Fay Gale for research and literary work; Professor Murray McCaskill for literary work; Dr Joseph Gentilli for climatological research; Dr Leslie Heathcote for literary work; Professor Ian Thornton for biogeographical research; Dr Norman Tindale for anthropological research; Mrs Anne Marshall for geographical research; Professor Graham Lawton for literary work; Sir Douglas Mawson and Sir Edmund Hillary for exploration and geographical research.
2. The John Lewis Silver Medal
The Royal Geographical Society of South Australia John Lewis Silver Medal is to be available to a student, from each of the Department of Geographical and Environmental Studies at Adelaide University and the School of Geography, Population and Environmental Management at Flinders University who has made a significant theoretical or empirical contribution to geography* through the completion of a Masters degree or a Ph D.
Two Medals (one for each Department) will be available annually provided that there are students of sufficient merit. The two Departments will each be invited to submit a suitable thesis by a student whose examiners' reports are formally accepted in each calendar year.
The award of the Medal(s) in any one year is subject to the approval of the Society. Theses submitted for the award will be reviewed by a panel appointed by Council through its Awards Committee, to ensure that the works fall within the Society's broad definition of Geography and meet its established standards of academic merit.
" * For the purposes of the Society , geography is defined as
The integrated study of the earth's landscapes, peoples, places and environments, putting the understanding of social and physical processes within the context of places and regions. It seeks to understand interaction between people, and between people and the physical environments in which they live and upon which they ultimately depend.
3. The John Lewis Senior Secondary Assessment Board of South Australia
The recipient is selected by SSABSA as the top student in Geography P, the publicly examined subject.
The recipient receives the John Lewis Bronze Medal and one year membership to the Society.
4. The Flinders University Under graduate John Lewis Prizes
First Year Geography
The recipient is selected by the University, and receives a certificate, $75 and a one year membership to the Society.
Second Year Geography
The recipient is selected by the University, and receives a Certificate and a two year free membership to the Society
Third Year Geography
The recipient is selected by the University, and receives a Certificate and a two year membership to the Society
5. The Adelaide University Undergraduate Prizes
First Year Geography - The John Lewis Prize
The recipient is selected by the University, and receives a certificate, $75 and a one year membership to the Society.
Second Year Geography-The Royal Geographical Society of South Australia Prize
The recipient is selected by the University, and receives a Certificate and a two year free membership to the Society
Third Year Geography- The Royal Geographical Society of South Australia Prize
The recipient is selected by the University, and receives a Certificate and a two year membership to the Society
THE G W SYMES BEQUEST
Adopted by Council 12th September 1984
Major - General George William Symes CB, MC settled in south Australia in 1949 after a distinguished career in the British Army. He took an active part in the life of the state, and was Private Secretary to the Governor from 1956 to 1964. His interest in historical geography led him to join the Society soon after his arrival , and he was its President from 1954 to 1957. As a member of the Historical Division he made a special study of the Northern Territory and its explorers. Papers by him include " A Brief Account of the Military Life and Times of George Gawler ", " Explorations and Development of the North Of South Australia 1850 - 69, and the Early Life of John Ross", " John Ross - a Refutation and a Chronology", " John Ross and the Macumba", " Exploring in the MacDonnell Ranges", and "Reflections on the Life of Stuart". In 1962 he received a John Lewis Award for his research into the history of the Northern Territory.
In 1980 Major - General Symes was chosen to deliver the Society's annual Brock Memorial Lecture. His subject, on which he had worked for many years, was "Charles Todd - Genesis of the Overland Telegraph". A week before the lecture he was taken ill, and his paper was delivered by the Vice - President Mr Brian Ward. He died a few days later at the age of 84.
Major - General Symes bequeathed a sum of $5000 to the Society upon trust to " invest the same and apply the interest therefrom to provide from time to time an award for historical research into the history of South Australia and the Northern Territory insofar as it affects the history of South Australia" and expressed the hope that " if the said Royal Geographical Society of Australasia South Australian Branch shall become defunct the said fund shall be transferred to the University of Adelaide or some other suitable body for the same purpose".
The Society accepts the sum of $5000 on trust and undertakes to hold the fund, which shall be called the G W Symes Bequest Fund, and the investments for the time being representing the same as well as the income thereof and therefrom in accordance with the following conditions:
1. To invest the said fund and any unexpected income therefrom and to realize and convert and reinvest the same or any part thereof from time to time or at any time as to the Council of the Society mat seem proper or desirable in all or any of the deposits, investments, or securities authorised by the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia or any of the States of Australia for trustee investments
.
2. To expand any portion of the funds [ whether corpus or income ] or the investments representing the same as to the Council may seem proper or necessary in procuring any thing of whatsoever nature that may be necessary or convenient for use in providing the award or otherwise for administering the trust.
3. To spend the income of and from the fund or investments to utilize the accumulations of income or any part thereof to maintain the value of the bequest and in the expenses of administration and in procuring and or awarding:
[a] The GW Symes Award Certificate and cash prize to be awarded from time to time, and at the discretion of Council, for research into the history of South Australia and the Northern Territory insofar as it affects the history of South Australia provided that same shall be designated the " G W Symes Award ".
[b] Trophies or objects of any other nature or design as may from time to time seem desirable to Council to be awarded for research into the history of South Australia and the Northern Territory insofar as it affects the history of South Australia provided that same shall be designated the " G W Symes Award ".
[c] Monetary assistance to enable a researcher to effect the research necessary and to prepare a research paper on a topic related to the history of South Australia and the Northern Territory insofar as it affects the history of South Australia.
4. The award of any such certificates, cash prizes, assistance, trophies or objects shall be made at such times and upon such conditions and by such means of selection or adjudication as the Society may from time to time or at any time prescribe by by-law or regulation under and pursuant to its rules, and so far as practicable in accordance with the expressed wishes of the Donor.
5. All awards shall be at the discretion of Council and upon advice of the G W Symes Bequest Committee.
6. `The G W Symes Bequest Committee shall comprise three members of Council nominated by Council each year as soon as practicable after the Annual General meeting, and shall include at least one member of the Executive. The Committee shall advise and recommend to Council on all aspects of the use of the G W Symes Bequest Fund, in accordance with these rules. The Funds and Awards established by Council may incorporate the G W Symes Committee within its numbers.
7. Council in its absolute discretion reserves the right to have any research paper which is supported from the G W Symes Bequest or which receives a G W Symes Award presented to the Society at one of its meetings whether by the recipient or by some other person and / or considered for publication in the Society's Journal or in some other publication of the Society without payment for such presentation or publication. In the latter case costs of publication in whole or part may be met by the G W Symes Bequest Fund.
8. A person accepting a G W Symes Award does so on the terms and conditions set out in these By-Laws.
[The current wording of the call for applications for the G W Symes Bequest is as follows. Note the last line.
From time to time applications are called and a grant of up to $1500 may be awarded for a suitable research project which focuses upon aspects of the history and historical geography of South Australia [ or the Northern Territory as it has affected the development of South Australia ] as a whole or of any area within the State. The history of exploration, the historical geography of settlement or of land use, and local histories would be considered appropriate. However applicants whose interests lie in other areas are encouraged to apply. ]
THE CENTENARY MEDAL OF THE ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY OF AUSTRALASIA [SA BRANCH] INC
[Revised draft following meeting of Funds and Awards Committee on 12 August 1992]
The Royal Geographical Society of Australasia [SA Branch] Inc [RGSASA] shall establish a Centenary Medal to recognize outstanding service to the Society.
1. Criteria for award of the Centenary Medal
1.1 The Awardee shall be a member or past member of the Society.
1.2 The Medal shall be awarded for outstanding service to the Society as evidenced by long and active service on the Council and / Committees of the Society or by significant contributions to the varied activities of the Society.
2. The Centenary Medal Selection Committee
2.1 The Council of the RGSASA shall establish a Selection Committee to recommend to it persons suitable for award of the Centenary Medal.
2.2 The Selection Committee shall comprise five members including the President [ or a Vice President ], who shall Chair the Selection Committee, The Chairman of Funds and Awards Committee, two members of Council and a member of the Society who is not a member of Council.
2.3 The Selection Committee shall meet annually and shall recommend to Council persons considered eligible to receive the Centenary Medal. Such recommendations shall be supported by a brief statement of each person's contribution to the work of the Society.
2.4 The Selection Committee shall recommend no more than four persons in any year.
2.5 The Selection Committee is not obliged to make a recommendation in ant year.
3. The Council
3.1 The Council of the RGSASA shall consider the recommendations from the Selection Committee and shall award no more than four medals in any year. The Council is not obliged to make an award whether or not it has received recommendations from the Selection Committee.
3.2 Any Council member who is under consideration for award of the Centenary Medal shall withdraw from Council meeting whilst the recommendations of the Selection Committee are considered.
3.3 The Council shall arrange for presentation of Centenary Medals at the Annual General Meeting of the Society or at some other significant meeting of the Society as determined by Council.
4. The Centenary Medal
4.1 The Size and Shape of the Medal shall be as for the John Lewis Gold Medal
4.2 The design and wording shall be as detailed [ The Medal is as the design sketch indicated, except that the name of the Society has changed.]
For more details or to nominate a person for an award:-
Phone or Fax: 61 08 82077265
Email admin@rgssa.org.au
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