Contents page for Volume 155 part 1, Council and Office Bearers from March 2021 to March 2022

Part 1 of Volume 155 has been prepared in recognition of the centenary of The Royal Society of Tasmania, Northern Branch and includes a forward by the President of The Royal Society, Mary Koolhof and a reflection on the Northern Branch by Dr Eric Ratcliff OAM, 2021 Northern Branch President. Included is a list of Elected Office Bearers, Council Members and Ex Officio Council Members from March 2021 to March 202

Astronomy in northern Tasmania

Tasmania has been the site of much astronomical activity over the past century. While most of the scientific research has taken place in the south of the state, this paper documents the significant activities that have been a focus in northern Tasmania, tracing the history of key events and people involved. The scene is set with a summary of pre-1920 astronomical history, followed by a detailed discussion of activities over the past 100 years, including the establishment of the Launceston Planetarium and its subsequent shift from QVMAG to the present-day Inveresk site. It identifies the many professional and amateur astronomers who have played a pivotal role in helping build Tasmania’s strong astronomical reputation as a centre for research and education, now recognised worldwide. Many aspects of this paper are drawn from the author’s own experience in the hopes of attracting further information to expand our knowledge

Tyereelore and Straitsmen : the true story of Tasmanian Aboriginal survival

Much has been written, theorised and assumed about Tasmanian Aboriginal peoples and histories, but few representations of their life and culture have been recorded by the subjects themselves. This paper reiterates and expands on the conclusions drawn in previous work that tells the little-known history of the genesis of Tasmania’s contemporary Aboriginal communities. The lifeworld and identity of the unique cultural group formed by the Straitsmen and their female Aboriginal partners, the Tyereelore, on the small islands of eastern Bass Strait, has remained virtually undisclosed in colonial narratives. They were entrepreneurs and shrewd traders of the surplus from the sea and land and in partnership they thrived despite the harsh environment and their precarious position in the socio-economic landscape. Against all odds, their joint skillsets, adaptability and resilience ensured the survival of their descendants today

Ecological and behavioural observations of a nesting aggregation of the endemic Tasmanian Digger Wasp Williamsita tasmanica

The endemic Tasmanian Digger Wasp Williamsita tasmanica is only known from 13 registered museum specimens, with little recorded on its life history. A nesting aggregation of females was observed over a 25-day period, enabling the first detailed observations of host log, nest design, prey and egg deposition, and behavioural patterns to be made. Cells were provisioned with large flies (order Diptera) of nine species from nine genera and four families to observe behaviour. This aggregation used a large eucalypt with an exposed core of friable brown rot for nesting. Our study showed that the day-to-day behaviour of the female is predictable, centring on nest construction, hunting large flies and egg-laying. This information has been lodged on the Atlas of Living Australia and voucher specimens collected for the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery to facilitate further taxonomic study

A rock in a hard place : European use of dolerite in Tasmania

Despite being more prevalent in Tasmania than elsewhere, dolerite found relatively limited use by early European settlers. Dolerite was used in foundations, basements and retaining walls, but was difficult to shape and at least in the first half of the colonial century, highly unfashionable both in colour and texture, although acceptable for industrial buildings and rural outbuildings. Later in the nineteenth century, quarried stones of uniform colour were used to build some notable churches as well as basements for buildings of other materials. There was a progression during the three decades before the First World War from use of stones of varied size to a preference for stones of regular appearance; after which dolerite was largely replaced by concrete. For much of the twentieth century, dolerite was chiefly crushed for road metal, concrete aggregate or railway ballast, with occasional use in formal building. Towards the end of that period, it returned to building in decorative features, and to engineering practice as filling for gabions and in massive assemblies of boulders. This overview traces the use of dolerite in Tasmania from early colonial times to present-day practices in fashionable architecture and as a structural building material

Reply to the apology to the Aboriginal community by The Royal society of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

Good afternoon everyone. I would like to acknowledge all members of the Tasmanian Aboriginal community who are here today, and to pay respect to all our old people who have passed before us. Let’s not forget that this day is as much about them as it is us. This is a momentous day for the Aboriginal community of Tasmania – Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and the Royal Society of Tasmania. As we have heard today the TMAG and the Royal Society have offered apologies to the Aboriginal community for past actions that have shown no regard for our culture and spirituality and which in turn contributed to our disadvantage and trauma. I believe it is up to all of us to consider these apologies with open minds and hearts

Sporulating mycelium of Davidsoniella australis on the bark of Nothofagus cunninghamii, and role as inoculum for new infections

Sporulating mycelial mats on the bark of lower stems are a common and notable sign of Davidsoniella australis infection of Nothofagus cunninghamii in cool temperate rainforest in Tasmania and Victoria. Inoculation studies indicate viable conidia from mats may be present in the rainforest during most of the year. Air- or water-borne conidia from sporulating mats and in the frass of the ambrosia beetle Platypus subgranosus that attacks infected trees, is the likely source of new infections in N. cunninghami

Aquarium industry offers hope for Tasmania’s critically endangered handfish

Southeast Australia, and most notably Tasmania, is the last home to the Handfishes, a unique group of marine fish that use their fins for walking. A range of threats occur across all species, with four listed as endangered, two as critically endangered, and the Red Handfish now on the brink of extinction. This paper summarises the contribution being made to the national recovery of the Spotted Handfish and Red Handfish by a captive breeding project underway at Beauty Point in northern Tasmania. Information is provided on husbandry techniques, survival and growth rates in captivity and a trial underway to identify their reproductive strategies. This program highlights the contribution the aquarium industry can make to improving the survival of two of the world’s most unique species of marine fishes and the collaboratives efforts of those involved

Sheltering knowledge : residences of the Royal Society of Tasmania and its precursors, 1838 to 2021

The Royal Society of Tasmania and its precursors have met and stored their collections in at least eight different buildings in Hobart and several in Launceston since Sir John and Lady Franklin started a scientific society in 1838. Those built for the specific purpose of housing collections initiated by the societies remain as important components of the built heritage of Tasmania. The choices of style and architect made by the Royal Society for its Tasmanian Museum contributed directly to, and through influence on, the character of the historic city centre of Hobar

Contents page for Volume 155 Part 2, Council and Office Bearers from March 2021 to March 2022

Contents page for Volume 155 Part 2 of the Papers and Proceedings of The Royal Society of Tasmania. Includes Council and Office Bearers from March 2021 to March 202