Royal Geographical Society of Australasia. New South Wales Branch records, 1883-1912

MLMSS 8240

fonds

1883-1912

Textual Records, Clippings

956968

0.53 metres of textual material (3 boxes)

The Geographical Society of Australasia held its first provincial meeting on 20 April 1883 in Sydney and was established in May 1883. The society was granted royal patronage in 1886 and became known as the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia.

The purpose of the geographical society was to promote the continual exploration of Australia and the surrounding lands. It brought together professional explorers and sought to document and publish the findings of their exploration. Of particular interest to the society were the island of [Papua] New Guinea and the continent of Antarctica, both in proximity to the Australian continent and seen as frontiers for new knowledge and exploration. While there was no overarching governing body of the society the respective state branches worked closely and often worked in jointly resourcing and planning significant expeditions that were of interest to its members.

The New South Wales Branch ceased operation in the early 1920s while the Victorian Branch was amalgamated into the Victoria Historical Society. In 1996 both the South Australian and Queensland Branches changed their names to Royal Geographical Society of South Australia and Royal Geographical Society of Queensland respectively.

Reference:
Supplied by donor

Series 1
Minutes of Royal Geographical Society of Australasia Exploratory Committee 15/01/1885 - 06/02/1888

Minutes and rough minutes of Royal Geographical Society of Australasia New South Wales Branch sub committees formed in preparation for exploration of New Guinea between 1885 and 1888.
This series consists of two books housed in two folders.
Folder 1. Book 1. Minutes of Exploratory Committee of the Geographical Society of Australasia. 15/01/1885 to 5/03/1885.
Folder 2. Book 2. New Guinea Exploratory Committee. 2/08/1887 to 06/02/1888.
Those in attendance at committee meetings included:
Belgrave, T. Bevan, Theodore Francis, Caldwell, Crummor, H.S., Everill, Henry Charles, Hammond, H., Hargrave, Lawrence, Joseph, Lawes, Maiden, Mann, John Frederick, Mereweather, Meslie, Moore, Ramsey, Riley, Strickland, Edward, Wallis, Wilkinson, Wood, Harrie, Wynee

Series 2
Correspondence of Royal Geographical Society of Australasia. New South Wales Branch 01/01/1883 - 31/12/1909
This series consists of papers sent and received by the Administrative Council. While this series is comprised mostly of letters received a copy book for the period 1887-1888 is also included as well as loose sent copies.
Some papers having been numbered sequentially on receipt however this numbering sequence is incomplete. It is assumed that the bundles of related correspondence were created by the secretary or office bearer.

Series 3
Invoices and receipts of Royal Geographical Society of Australasia. New South Wales Branch 01/01/1883 - 31/12/1885
This series consists of 5 folders housing receipts and invoices for expeditions from 1883 and 1885.The majority of this series is specific to the New Guinea expedition of 1885. Receipts were periodically sent in bundles to the Secretary of the society for accounting purposes and settlement of debts. These bundles also contain letters from Captain Everill regarding expenditure of money and instructions from Lawrence Hargrave. A number of references are made to SS Bonito, the ship used to travel to New Guinea.

Series 4
Royal Geographical Society of Australasia news cuttings. 07/01/1881? - 24/12/1885
This book contains a collection of newspaper articles including the establishment and published intention of the society and its branches, articles on expeditions conducted by the society to New Guinea and articles of particular interest such as Antarctica/South Pole expeditions. An alphabetical index is provided at the front of the book to newspaper article titles and page numbers.

Series 5
One folder containing Godfrey Ellard Hemsworth’s nautical calculations 13/11/1884 - 1/10/1885 on various ships including S S Zealander and SS Bonito
One Log Book of Nautical sub-leader Godfrey Ellard Hemsworth from the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia expedition to New Guinea, 10/06/1885 - 03/12/1885 recording the voyage of SS Bonito to Strickland River Papua New Guinea

Series 6
Donald Mackay’s 1912 publication ‘An Exploration in New Guinea’

Publication detailing an expedition in 1908 to New Guinea. Donald MacKay was a member of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia.
Mackay, Donald. (1912). An Exploration in New Guinea. Sydney: W.E. Smith Ltd.01/05/1912 - 01/05/1912