JG Wood was the Foundation President of our Society and with RN Robertson, brought our Society to fruition. The Australian Society of Plant Scientists was founded on 19 August 1958 during an inaugural meeting at the University of Adelaide, at a time when physiological aspects of plant biology were beginning to grow rapidly within Australia. That early enthusiasm and a prevailing commitment to greater understanding of plant function remains undiminished. The full constitution of the society is available here. The Society can be broadly described as:
- A group of individuals who are deeply interested in how plants function.
- Providing a forum for sharing of knowledge so that the membership can build both the depth and breadth of knowledge of plant functions.
- Providing mutual support and collective mentorship.
- Recognising and rewarding excellence at all levels of scientific career development without fear or favour.
- Nurturing the next generation of plant scientists.
- Working on behalf of members to enhance their ability to do research and to educate others in plant sciences.
- Supporting a journal, Functional Plant Biology, that reflects the broad interests of the members.
- Organising the national conference ComBio and other symposia in association with other Australian scientific societies, to facilitate the dissemination of new research.