A voluntary, not-for-profit organisation for advancing geographical science and promoting public awareness and enjoyment of Geography and related topics.
Advance public awareness of, and interest in, geography and related disciplines, including environmental issues
Encourage research and scholarship in geography
Recognise and reward achievements in geography
Commemorate past achievements of significance to geography
The Society is custodian of an extensive library of antique, rare and current books and maps. Many are featured in our Treasures. Amongst its various activities the Society organises lectures on topical issues, publishes a scholarly journal, recognises contributions to geography through an active awards program, and convenes an active field activities program.
The RGSSA welcomes professional geographers, geography graduates, and all those with an enthusiasm for geography, travel and exploration to join.
The RGSSA Library contains over 25,000 volumes and is one of the most significant collections of rare geographical books and manuscripts in Australia.
The Society supports a number of awards and prizes to promote geographical education and research, and to recognise members’ efforts.
26 March 2024
17 March 2024
13 March 2024
29 April 2024 | 8:00 am
Trips & Tours
This tour led by the RGSSA newly appointed Head of Travel and longtime lecture presenter, Joc Schmiechen will take you on an exploratory journey into some of landscapes, cultural, settlement and pre-history of Southeastern Australia.
6 May 2024 | 12:00 pm
Lunchtime Meeting
This presentation, based on work with Daryl Wesley and Wendy van Duivenvoorde, will trace the origin of a complex rock art motif of a ship in Arnhem Land, Australia.
16 May 2024 | 5:30 pm
Monthly Lecture
Wallace proposed a theory of evolution at the same time as Darwin, but his contribution to the science of evolution remains less celebrated. The Wallace line is a boundary proposed in 1859 by Wallace to separate the biogeographical realms of SE Asia and Australia. To the west of the Line are found organisms related to Asiatic species; to the east, a mixture of species of Asian and Australian origins exist.
23 May 2024 | 10:30 am
Rare Books Group
In 1704, Awnsham and John Churchill published 4 volumes that were the first English translations of European explorations also including English works that “for their excellency and scarceness, deserved to be reprinted”. These comprehensive volumes contained maps, engravings, and descriptions from voyages to much of the New World over the preceding two centuries.
20 June 2024 | 5:30 pm
Monthly Lecture
Hear from his grandson how John Rymill left Australia bound for England, on a journey that would culminate in him becoming one of Australia’s foremost polar pioneers.
27 June 2024 | 10:30 am
Rare Books Group
Details to follow
2 July 2024 | 5:00 pm
Monthly Lecture
This presentation of the RGSSA's Annual Brock lecture is being held in conjunction with the 2024 Institute of Australian Geographer's Conference.
18 July 2024 | 5:30 pm
Monthly Lecture
Evaluating Maude’s and Hooker’s HMS Bounty Tracks after Leaving Tahiti on September 22, 1789
© The Royal Geographical Society of South Australia