Ballarat Science and Field Naturalists Club
The Ballarat Science and Field Naturalists Club was established by the Ballarat School of Mines.
Background
The Ballarat Science and Field Naturalists Club was first formed in 1882 (known then as the Ballarat Field Club and Science Society), only two years after the founding of the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria- the first naturalist's club in Australia.[1] The Ballarat Field Club and Science Society was first presided over by James Oddie and was dedicated to the study and discussion of natural and physical sciences. They met on the third Wednesday of each month and the annual subscription was five shillings.
- Rules of the Ballaarat Field Club and Science Society, Established June, 1882
- President - James Oddie
- Vice-Presidents - William Henry Nicholls, Alfred Mica Smith
- Treasurer - Frederick Martell
- Secretary - Ferdinand Krause
- Assistant Secretary - I.J. Jones
- Committee - R. T. Vale, J. Wall, T. Potter, I.J. Jones, R. Lorimer, Dr Whitcombe, Hermann Ritz
- The Treasurer and Secretary ex-officio members.
- 1. This Society is named "The Ballaarat Field CLub and Science Society."
- 2. The object of this Society is the study of Natural and Physical Science, to be promoted by ordinary meetings, conversaziones, field excursions, and, when deemed advisable, the publishing of its transactions.
- 3. The ordinary meetings shall be held on the third Wednesday in each month, for the reading of papers, exhibition of specimens, and general business. The executive committee may appoint any other day for the reading of papers and conversaziones, In the absence of the President or any of the Vice-Presidents at general meeting or conversaziones, the members present may appoint a Chairman from among their number.
- 4. This Society shall consist of ordinary and honorary members. The Subscription from ordinary members to be Five Shillings per annum. Students of The School of Mines to be Associates. None but ordinary members are to be entitled to a vote in the transaction of the business of this Society.
- 5. Six months after the formation of this Society, and thereafter, candidates for admission must be proposed and seconded by two members at one meeting, and balloted for at the ensuing meeting.
- 6. The general management of the Society shall be by a President, two Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, and a Committee of seven, five to form a quorum. A Committee meeting may be held on the second Wednesday of each month, for the passing of accounts, and the fixing of dates for conversaziones and excursions. In the absence of the President or any of the Vice-Presidents at the hour appointed for the holding of such meeting, the members present may elect a Chairman from among their number.
- 7. All the Officers and the Members of Committee shall be elected at the annual meeting in June; they shall retire annually, but be eligible for re-election.
- 8. The office of any Member of Committee failing to attend three consecutive Committee meetings, without satisfactory reason, may be declared vacant. Vacancies from this or any other cause to be filled up by the Committee at their next meeting.
- 9. At the annual general meeting a statement of accounts shall be submitted by the Treasurer, and duly certified to by two Auditors appointed at the previous ordinary meeting.
- 10. At the ordinary meetings business shall be transacted in the following order, viz:-
- Minutes of the previous meeting to be read, amended if incorrect, and confirmed
- Correspondence to be read.
- Motions of which notice has been given to be considered.
- New members to be introduced, and to enrol their names.
- Ballot for the election of new members.
- Nomination of proposed members.
- Communications from the Committee to be considered.
- Notices of motion for next meeting to be read by the Secretary.
- Presents to be laid on the table and acknowledged.
- Papers to be read, and subsequent discussion.
- Experiments and specimens to be shewn.
- Announcements for next meeting.
- 11. Members proposing to read papers to send in their names and the names of the subjects to the Secretary, to be considered by the Committee at their meeting previous to the general meeting of conversazione at which the paper is to be read.
- 12. The Treasurer shall open an account in a bank, and make all payments therein to the credit of the Society's account. All disbursements to or above the amount of 20s. shall be made by cheque, signed by the President, or one of the Vice-Presidents, and the Treasurer.
- 13. These rules can only be altered by a majority of two-thirds of the m3mbers present at an annual meeting or special general meeting, convened for that purpose by the Committee, or by a requisition of not less than seven members, such proposed alterations or additions to have been submitted to the previous ordinary meeting, and posted up in the room where the meetings are held for one month before they come into effect.
- Confirmed 22nd November, 1882.
- JAMES ODDIE.[2]
- Confirmed 22nd November, 1882.
History
The Ballarat Science and Field Naturalists Club was reformed in 1915, its previous incarnation being the Ballarat Field Club and Science Society (formed in 1882). The object of this club was 'the study of Natural History and Science in every branch, to be promoted by field excursions and meetings, also by publication of its proceedings when deemed desirable.[3]
- Sir, It has been suggested that an effort should be made to reform the once popular Science Club, which in past years was connected with the above institution. The purpose of the club would be to meet fortnightly or monthly & discuss papers contributed by members on matters of scientific interest; also to discuss general scientific matters brought up by members. Field days covered [illegible] also be held, for those particularly interested in Zoology, Botany or Geology. If the club were strong, the matter of a small journal could be considered. We should be glad if you would interest yourself in the proposed club, & also enlist the interest of any friends who have inclinations in that direction. With this object, a meeting will be held at the School of Mines, on Saturday evening, May 15th, at 8 pm., and we hope for your sympathy [illegible] and attendance. Yours truly, Charles Fenner, convener.[4]
- A Field Club and Science Society connected with The School, now numbering some ninety members, has been established under the presidency of Mr Oddie. Some of its members have already made several excursions to various places of interest in the neighbourhood. At the monthly meetings of the Society, descriptive papers on the specimens collected, the physical configuration of the localities visited, or the country transversed, or some other equally interesting and instructive subject are read. Students of The School are privileged members. The gentlemen filling the chair of Geology at the School, being Honorary Secretary to the Club, frequently accompanies the excursionists, and describes any interesting geological or mineralogical features presented. Professor Smith, Superintendent of Laboratories, is one of the Vice-Presidents, and willing at all times to assist the members by making analysis when required, or affording other information within the scope of the department.[5]
- Field Naturalists Club and Science Society - This Association has continued its monthly meetings at The School, as herertofore. Mr W.H. Wooster, of Bolwarra, M.Mic.Soc.Victoria, a member of the club, recently inaugurated a class for instruction in Microscopy, and has undertaken to attend regularly once a month to deliver a course of lectures, for the benefit of students desirous of extending their knowledge of this practically useful and interesting subject.[6]
Site
Members
Miss Bailey Committee Member 1917
William Baragwanath Committee Member 1915, 1916, 1917
John Brittain Vice-President 1916-17
C.E. Carter Committee Member 1915
W. H. Collyer Joint Secretary 1916-17
Maurice Copland President 1917
Miss I. Crump Committee Member 1917
Edward C. Doepel Member 1916
Charles Fenner President 1916-17
William Duiguid Hill Member 1916
Charles Hoadley Secretary 1915
Miss W. Joy member 1917
J.B. Matthews Committee Member 1915, 1916, 1917
Miss McRae, Member 1916
L. J. Middleton Joint Secretary 1916-17
Richard W. Richards Joint Secretary 1917
Alfred Mica Smith Vice-President 1916-17
Miss Proctor member 1917
Dr South, Member 1916
G.H. Smith Committee Member 1916
Albert W. Steane Committee Member 1915, 1916, 1917
John M. Sutherland member 1915, 1916, 1917
V. Wastall Committee Member 1916
William Williams Vice-President 1893
H.B. Williamson, Committee Member 1915
William Wooster, member 1883
Events
Wild Flowers Show
Syllabus 1915
19 June - 'Our National Park: Wilson's Promontory' by J.E. Kershaw.[7]
03 July - Field Excursion (Geology) to Gong Gong and Warrenheip by Charles Fenner
17 July - Some Interesting Plants - Australites by H.B. Williamson and Charles Fenner
31 July - Field Excursion to Creswick Forestry School by Thomas Hart
21 August - Microscopic Evening
04 September - Field Excursion (Geology) to Black Hill and Little Bendigo.
18 September - Electric Discharges in Air and Rarified Gases by John M. Sutherland.
02 October - Field Excursion (birds) Major Brew
09 October - Field Excursion to Werribee Gorge by Charles Fenner and Charles Hoadley.
16 October - Exhibition of Wild Flowers (Red Cross)
29 October - Chemistry Lecture by Daniel Walker
06 November - Field Excursion (Botany) to Mt Buninyong by H.B. Williamson.
20 November - Antarctica Lantern Lecture
04 December - Field Excursion (astronomy) at the Ballarat Observatory.
Syllabus 1916
25 February - Bees and Beekeeping by H.B. Williamson
18 March - Solar Heat by J.B. Matthews
01 April - Excursion to the Botanical Gardens
08 April - Annual Meeting and lecture on Volcanos by Charles Fenner
06 May - Excursion to Buninyong via Mt Clear
20 May - How a Great Newspaper is Produced by Mt Sweetland of The Age
03 June - Excursion to Burrumbeet
17 June - A naturalist in the Victorian Bush Lecture by Mr D. Le Souaf, Curator of the Melbourne Zoological Gardens
24 June - Excursion to the Ballarat Woollen Mill
15 July - Microscope Evening
05 August - Excursion to Bradshaw
19 August - The Spectroscope and its achievements lecture by Prof. Alfred Mica Smith
26 August - Fish Acclimatization Society Excursion
30 September - Forestry School (Postponed)
07 October - Wild Flower Show
14 October - A Naturalist in the Northern Mallee by H.B. Williamson
01 November - Glaciers and Their Action by Charles Fenner
25 November - Werribee Gorge Excursion
10 March - Water Reserves Excursion
24 March - Exhibition and Discussion of Interesting Objects
14 April - Excursion to Buninyong (Botanical And Geological)
Syllabus 1917
28 April - The Everlasting Hills lecture by Prof. Skeats of Melbourne University
26 May - Notes on Our Forestry with an Exhibition of Timbers by Mr Wardle
09 June - Burrumbeet Excursion
23 June - Diet and Exercise in relation to Health by J.B. Matthews
18 August - Microscopic Evening
08 September - excursion to the Lal Lal Coal and Iron Mines
22 September - Diamonds and Diamond mining lecture by Maurice Copland
13 October - Wildflower Show
20 October - Birds of Australia, illustrated by lantern Slide by D. Le Souef
03 November - Excursion to Werribee Gorge
17 November - Australian Weather by Mr Kennedy
See also
Ballarat Field Club and Science Society
Victorian School of Forestry, Creswick
Notes
References
- ↑ Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, http://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM00565b.htm, accessed 8 September 2014.
- ↑ Ballarat School of Mines Annual Report, 1882,pp. 49-50.
- ↑ Minute Book of the Ballarat School of Mines Science and Field Naturalists Club, 1915-1918.
- ↑ Rough Letter - Letter from Charles Fenner regarding Ballarat School of Mines Science Club, 1915,http://victoriancollections.net.au/items/5407e0812162f10ad41daf61, accessed 08/09/2014
- ↑ Ballarat School of Mines Annual Report, 1883.
- ↑ Ballarat School of Mines Annual Report, 1883, p16.
- ↑ Minute Book of the Ballarat School of Mines Science and Field Naturalists Club, 1915-1918.
Further Reading
External Links
Ballarat Science and Field Naturalists Club Office Bearers and Syllabus, 1915 http://victoriancollections.net.au/items/54090f3e2162f112d097f323#54090f3e2162f112d097f323
Ballarat Science and Field Naturalists Club Wildflower Exhibition, 1915 http://victoriancollections.net.au/items/540914f52162f112d0980f79#540914f52162f112d0980f79
c1915 Proposed Club Rules http://www.victoriancollections.net.au/items/54090b1c2162f112d097e371
Document From Ballarat School of Mines Science and Field Naturalists Club regarding Wild Flower Show, 1915 http://victoriancollections.net.au/items/540feb4c2162f10afc23dc3a
Invoice from Irvine Colter & Co to Ballarat School of Mines Science Club, 1915 http://victoriancollections.net.au/items/5407d4502162f10ad41d7cf6#5407d4502162f10ad41d7cf6
Letter from the Ballarat Field Naturalists Club, 1979 http://victoriancollections.net.au/items/540feea32162f10afc23f25c
Letter from Charles Fenner regarding Ballarat School of Mines Science Club, 1915 http://victoriancollections.net.au/items/5407e0812162f10ad41daf61#5407e0812162f10ad41daf61
Minute Book of the Ballarat School of Mines Science and Field Naturalists Club, 1915-1918 http://victoriancollections.net.au/items/5407c17f2162f10ad41c57d6#5407c17f2162f10ad41c57d6
Rough Correspondence concerning the Ballarat School of Mines Science and Field Naturalists Club from Charles Hoadley, 1916 http://victoriancollections.net.au/items/5407d82c2162f10ad41d8e0e#5407d82c2162f10ad41d8e0e
Rough Notes Regarding Subscriptions to the Ballarat Science and Field Naturalists Club, c1915 http://victoriancollections.net.au/items/54090c492162f112d097e8ce#54090c492162f112d097e8ce
State Savings Bank of Victoria - Ballaarat Passbook for the School of Mines Science and Field Naturalists Club 1915-1917 http://victoriancollections.net.au/items/5407da002162f10ad41d9435#5407da002162f10ad41d9435
The Victorian Naturalist:
- Volume 1, pages 58 and 70-71 https://archive.org/stream/victoriannatural118841885fiel#page/70/mode/2up
- Presentations by: W. H. Wooster, Alfred Mica Smith, H. Sutton, F. J. Martell, W. Burbidge, W. Usher, F. M. Krause, Sidney Johnson, A. Doepel, Figgis, Rev. Binks.
- Volume 2, page 43 https://archive.org/stream/victoriannatural218851886fiel#page/42/mode/2up
- Presentations by: Rev. W. Williams, W. H. Wooster, W. Burbidge, W. Corbould, A. Doepel, Grayson, F. M. Krause, F. J. Martell, Dr Ochiltree, Alfred Mica Smith, H. Sutton, Dr Usher, Miss Wooster.
Written notes concerning the Ballarat Science and Field Naturalists Club, 1917 http://victoriancollections.net.au/items/540909e32162f112d097df97#540909e32162f112d097df97
--Ellen Rochelmeyer 10:42, 4 September 2014 (EST); --Clare K.Gervasoni 14:26, 4 September 2014 (EST)