Support Us
The Royal Society of Victoria is an independent, not-for-profit organisation and a registered charity. Our ability to maintain our programs, promote science and foster universal scientific literacy in our community depends on membership fees, as well as revenues from venue hire, sponsorship, donations and bequests. Partnerships with other organisations whose goals align with the Society’s is a key strategy for achieving program outcomes, pooling efforts to achieve economies of scale; however, all partnership projects require co-contributions of resources, particularly where a volunteer base needs to be managed by professional staff and supported with project funding.
Donations and Bequests
If you are considering your legacy, or are interested in contributing to the growth and success of the Society’s projects and programs, we would gratefully welcome your generosity. Bequests to the Society can be stipulated in your legal will as a part of your legacy, and we would be pleased to discuss the conditions you would like to stipulate. Donations can be made at any time using the buttons below. These can be of a general nature, or you can specify the purpose to which your support should be directed.
As a registered charity, all donations to the Society over $2 are tax deductible within Australia.
A general donation will be directed to the Society’s highest priorities, or you can review the program areas below to make a more specific contribution to our efforts. These include Science Program, Science Outreach, Science Heritage, Science Advocacy and support for an Aboriginal Astronomy program.
Science Program – Presenting Science and Scientists to Victoria
The program at the Royal Society comprises an outstanding public lecture series on subjects ranging across the disciplines in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM), along with a suite of distinguished awards and prizes to foster, recognise, reward and celebrate excellence at all stages of a scientist’s career. It is our opportunity to learn more about progress in science, discuss issues together, and offer a broader promotional platform to scientists and their research with the general community.
Science is an important part of our state’s cultural life, a point of inspiration not just for discovery and invention, but also creativity and expression. Increasingly, the arts community is finding ways to help scientists bring their work to a larger audience through the tools of literature, visual arts and music.
We extend the impact of the Program through the upgrade of equipment in our heritage Hall – this enables video recording and transmission of key events to reach a wider audience through both livestreaming and a YouTube channel, and also augments the live theatre experience for attending audiences through appropriate projection, lighting and amplification.
Science Outreach – Supporting Inclusion & Participation in Science
The future of science, and of our society, rests with the generations currently engaged in schooling and tertiary studies. The RSV’s membership is deeply committed to the development of youth skills that will enable these generations to be productive, innovative and professionally agile in a challenging era of rapid technological, environmental and economic change. Sometimes this involves supporting teacher professional development, other times it involves engaging the whole of a family in the fun of a kids’ science, robotics or coding club.
Further, the RSV supports a “lifelong learning,” community-based approach to recognising and fostering engagement in the sciences across regional and metropolitan Victoria. This encompasses: fostering a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the environment that supports us; STEMM workforce diversity, inclusion and participation initiatives, and; citizen science programs. Increasingly, the provision of small science engagement grants to Victorian communities through managements of the Inspiring Victoria program is answering a clear requirement for science content, and your support would be appreciated in extending our resources to meet the growing demand.
Science History, Collections and Heritage
The Royal Society of Victoria has a long and distinguished history of contribution to the civic and cultural life of Victoria. Founded in 1854, much of our story, and the story of science in Victoria, has been told, but much still remains to be discovered, understood and shared. You can help us to uncover and share these fascinating stories.
We have maintained our colonial collections, buildings and grounds on our small CBD triangle for almost 160 years, and hope to continue for many years to come!
The Society holds a beautiful collection of 19th century science journals, canvassing a broad range of disciplines, a legacy of its role in holding scientific intelligence for the reference of the Colony of Victoria. Housed throughout our heritage building, many of these volumes are in need of urgent conservation work and binding to complete runs. Your support in preserving these important cultural items as symbols our beginnings would be much appreciated.
Science Policy, Advocacy and Communication
One of the best ways to make a real impact is to get the right people talking to one another. In the sciences, this means recognising and including expertise, but this expertise means little if nobody is listening. Convening scientific expertise with communities and key influencers in government and industry is vitally important, as is the publication of robust science conducted in and about Victoria to inform debate and discussion.
Bringing the big picture together for a community of interest takes time, diplomacy, patience and resources. We aim to convene events that enable our members to share their professional experiences and expertise, contribute to public debate and deliberation, raise major issues in science and society, and bring the collective scientific wisdom of this accomplished community to bear on challenges facing our home here in Victoria, Australia. We publish the peer-reviewed work of Victorian scientists in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria, along with the occasional monograph, to establish an enduring and engaging reference to an evidence base.
Aboriginal Astronomy: Participation, Education & Research
The First Australians are among the oldest astronomers in the world, having created complex knowledge systems about the Sun, Moon, and stars. Collaborations with elders are revealing a new wealth of knowledge that challenges colonial ideas about Aboriginal culture, catching the attention of the general public. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are severely underrepresented in all areas of astronomy. Our programs aim to create opportunities and pipelines for Indigenous students who are passionate about becoming astrophysicists and/or learning more about Indigenous Astronomical Knowledge.
Our programs focus on four primary areas: Indigenous community engagement to generate interest among students and community members in astronomy and space science; research and education programs for students studying Indigenous Astronomical Knowledge; scholarships for Indigenous students at all tertiary levels to pursue studies and degree programs in astrophysics, space science, and Indigenous astronomy and meetings and workshops for educators and Indigenous community members to share ideas and develop scholarship in Indigenous astronomy.
Please help us to do more! Contact us today to talk about the impact of your gift, corporate sponsorship, or bequest: [email protected] or (03)9663 5259.
