TAG - Geological Society of Australia

Special Report34th IGC – another Aussiesuccess storyTAG has previously published information about the 34thInternational Geological Congress (IGC) but in this issuewe want to acknowledge and thank the 34th IGCorganisers and publish final information and reports from sponsoredstudents.Conferences come together because of the work of manypeople, but successful conferences are built on the strength ofthe participants. All participants and members of all committeescontributed to making the IGC a successful event that theAustralian geoscience community should be proud of. As well,the delegates who attended the IGC, the volunteers working atthe IGC, exhibitors and sponsors all contributed to making the34th IGC successful and truly unique — congratulations andthank you all!Organiser —Australian Geoscience CouncilThe 34th IGC was the culmination of many years’ work by manygeoscientists working in different organisations. The IGC wasmade possible because of the huge effort key volunteers made(especially the Organising Committee!).The Congress was organised by the Australian GeoscienceCouncil (AGC), which is the peak council of geoscientists in Australia.It represents eight major Australian geoscientific societieswith a total membership of over 7000 individuals comprisingindustry, government and academic professionals in the fields ofgeology, geophysics, geochemistry, mineral and petroleumexploration, environmental geoscience, hydrogeology andgeological hazards.34th IGC Organising CommitteeThe Organising Committee had oversight for all aspects of theIGC. Neil Williams, with his significant experience in leadership,was at the helm of the IGC in the role of President. Ian Lambertworked full-time on the IGC in the all-encompassing position ofSecretary General. As well as the diverse responsibility Ian held asthe IGC Secretary General, he was often promoting the IGC at conferenceswithin Australia and overseas. Now, in Ian’s new positionof Secretary General of the International Union of GeologicalSciences, he will promote Australian geosciences to the world.Thank you to all members of the IGC Organising Committee:President — Neil Williams, University of WollongongSecretary General — Ian Lambert, Geoscience AustraliaDeputy Secretary General — Paul Kay, Geoscience AustraliaDeputy Secretary General — Paulo Vasconcelos,University of QueenslandScientific Program Chair — Lynton Jacques,Australian National UniversityFinance Committee Chair — Miriam Way, The AusIMMField Trips Committee Chair — David Mason,Geological Survey of QueenslandSponsorship Committee Chair — Ashley Gordon,Carillon Conference ManagementCommittee MembersMark Berry, Australian Institute of GeoscientistsHamish Campbell, GNS Science (New Zealand)David Denham, Australian Society of Exploration GeophysicistsGeoff Dickie, Queensland Resources CouncilMaurie Drew, Petroleum Exploration Society of AustraliaJonathan Gordon, Carillon Conference ManagementMichael Leggo, Australia Geoscience CouncilAlex Malahoff, GNS Science (New Zealand)Robert Murdoch, ConsultantGabriella Perlingeiro, University of QueenslandColin Simpson, International Union of Geological SciencesMike Smith, Australian Geoscience CouncilScientific ProgramUnearthing our Past and FutureResourcing TomorrowThe scientific program was many years in the making anddelivered an impressive 37 themes, as well as major forums. Thethemes reflected the crucial role geosciences play in meeting theneeds of societies while sustaining the Earth. The ScientificProgram Committee and the Scientific Theme Coordinatorsdeveloped the conference themes with input from the InternationalUnion of Geological Sciences (IUGS), affiliated groups andindividual scientists.The panels and scientific and plenary presentations coveredall areas of the geosciences. Delegates were impressed with thediversity and high quality of the program and speakers.TAG December 2012| 33