MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION

MS 202 - AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL

Towards the end of 1918 moves were made to resume international scientific activities, which had been suspended during World War I, and in 1919 An International Research Council was formed. Australia was one of the sixteen countries invited to participate, on condition that it possessed, or else established, a National Academy (under that or other title) capable of representing it internationally. The Australian National Research Council was formed in 1919 and officially joined the International Research Council in 1920.

Its objects were:

To represent Australia in the International Research Council

To promote generally, as far as possible, in co-operation with existing institutions, the cause of scientific research in Australia

To serve as an Academy of Science

Its activities included international activity; research activity; war-time activity; publications such as Australian Science Abstracts, Oceania and Australian Journal of Science; and memorials, including the David and Masson Lectures and the Lyle Medal. With the establishment of the Australian Academy of Science in 1954, the Australian National Research Council began handing over its functions to the Academy and was formally dissolved in 1955.

202/1 Executive Committee, Melbourne - minutes, October 1948 - November 1951