History

In 1955, a resolution “that the Australian Society of Soil Science be inaugurated from this meeting” was recorded in Melbourne. The following year the first official meeting of the Society took place in Queensland, with a Federal Executive and presidents from the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australian and Victorian branches forming the Federal Council. In later years the Executive expanded with the addition of the Western Australian branch in 1957, the Riverina branch in 1962 and most recently the Tasmanian branch in 2008.

The objectives of the Society were:

• the advancement of soil science and studies therein with particular reference to Australia, and
• to provide a link between soil scientists and kindred bodies within Australia and between them and other similar organisations in other countries.

Membership was initially restricted to people engaged in the scientific study of the soil and has grown steadily from to 147 members in 1957 to more than 800 members in 2017.

The first issue of the newsletter Soils News, was published in January 1957. Soils News continued to be published twice yearly until 1996 when the name changed to Profile.

The first honorary life membership was awarded to Dr JA Prescott. The Federal Council established a Student Award in 1969 and over ensuing years a range of awards have been established: the JA Prescott Medal (1972), the Soil Science Publication Medal (1979), the JK Taylor OBE Gold Medal in Soil Science (1984), the CG Stephens PhD Award in Soil Science (2003), the LJH Teakle Award (2010) and conference presentation awards.

Branches were busy during this time and hosted many activities including seminars, field trips and conferences for both members and others interested in soil science. By the early seventies several branches had conducted refresher courses and in 1974 the Society became incorporated.

The Society hosted its first world congress, the 9th International Society of Soil Science Congress, in Adelaide in 1968 with 310 papers printed, 239 papers presented and 720 delegates. In contrast, 42 years later the 19th World Congress of Soil Science returned to Australia, where in Brisbane 1914 delegates from 68 countries were treated to 343 presentations, 1227 research posters, eight keynote and 65 invited lead speakers. A commemorative stamp was produced for the first Congress and another stamp was created in 2007 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Society.

An inaugural joint conference with the New Zealand Society of Soil Science was held in Rotorua in November 1986. This paved the way for joint national conferences every four years.

In 2011 the name Soil Science Australia was adopted as the public name. In 1998 the first Executive Officer was appointed and in 2010 the then Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency Ms Penelope Wensley AC accepted the invitation to become the first Patron.

A significant decision was taken in 1996 to introduce the Certified Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS) program, partly in response to the increasing demand by government authorities for certified professionals in soil and land management. Accreditation is available to members (and non-members) with requirements for accreditation listed in the Standards for Professionals in Soil Science.

Federal Honour Board

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