Central Business District in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania

The Royal Society of Victoria

Centenary Monument

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe

1. The Royal Society of Victoria Marker

Inscription. The Royal Society of Victoria
Centenary Monument
1859-1959

This monument was unveiled by the Patron of the Society,
His Excellency, the Governor of Victoria, General Sir Dallas Brooks,
K.C.B. K.C.M.G. K.C.V.O D.S.O K.St.J.
7th December, 1959

This Glacial Boulder, brought from Mawson, Antarctica, by the Antarctic Division of the Department of External Affairs, has been set up to Commemorate the completion of one hundred years of endeavour by the society in its work for the advancement of science, and to mark its special interest in Antarctic Exploration and research.

Erected 1959.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Science & Medicine. A significant historical date for this entry is December 7, 1859.

Location. 37° 48.459′ S, 144° 58.136′ E. Marker is in Melbourne, Victoria. It is in the Central Business District. It is on Exhibition Street 0.1 kilometers south of Victoria Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8 La Trobe Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Oceania,

Australasia,

the Pacific Ocean,

South Pacific,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named The Royal Society of Victoria (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Royal Society of Victoria

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Mary Mackillop 1842-1909 (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Things They Left Behind (about 180 meters away); River Red Gum (about 210 meters away); Little Lon': Mission House (about 210 meters away); Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens (about 210 meters away); Odd Fellows (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melbourne.

Also see . . . Science and the making of Victoria. Melbourne University

It was a very happy coincidence that the date of the centenary of the Royal Society of Victoria (November 1959) coincided exactly with the centenary of the publication of Charles Darwin's immortal work The Origin of Species. It was therefore very fitting that any celebrations that were to be planned should combine both centenaries.

In addition to a centenary soiree that was held at the Royal Society's hall on 12 November 1959, at which historical documents and specimens were exhibited and a short historical paper read, a centenary symposium was held from 7-11 December 1959, the overall subject being 'The Evolution of Living Organisms'. For this symposium,
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 3, 2026

2. The Royal Society of Victoria Marker
on the Glacial Rock
Note the South Pole Marker at the base
the guest lecturer was Professor Ernst Mayr, Agassiz Professor of Zoology at Harvard University, U.S.A. On 7 December, at the University of Melbourne, Professor Mayr delivered the first 'O. W. Tiegs Oration', established in memory of a former councillor and chairman of the library committee, on the subject 'Accident or Design? The Great Paradox of Evolution'. In the discussions which were held during the following week, contributions were made by eminent evolutionists from all countries of the world, the papers being later issued in the form of a special publication by the Melbourne University Press.

This symposium was a most fitting conclusion to the first hundred years of service to science of a society founded by men of vision in a young colony seething with the excitement of a major discovery of gold.

May the second hundred years of the Royal Society of Victoria be just as rich, not only in scientific achievement but also in service generally, to a rapidly growing nation with the potential for major contributions of world importance.

Let Baron von Mueller's aim, so aptly stated in 1859, at the first meeting of the first hundred years of the Royal Society—'Concord and Progress'—be the motto for the Society from 1959 to 2059.

(Submitted on June 15, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)

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Credits. This page was last revised on June 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 15, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.