The Philosophical Society of Australasia

The Philosophical Society of Australasia was established on 27 June 1821 and was the first scientific society in the British colony of New South Wales. The Society was formed "with a view to enquiring into the various branches of physical science of this vast continent and its adjacent regions". On his arrival in Sydney late in 1821, the new Governor-General (as he was then called), Sir Thomas Brisbane, was offered and accepted the position of President.

Following a period of informal activity, the Society was revitalised and renamed the Australian Philosophical Society on 19 January 1850. On 12 December 1866, Queen Victoria granted Royal Assent to the Society and it was renamed the Royal Society of New South Wales.

The Royal Society of New South Wales is the oldest learned institution in the Southern Hemisphere and has continuously published a peer-reviewed journal, The Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Scoiety of New South Wales, since 1867.

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