Australian geography’s challenges and community-based learned societies in its future

Environmental crisis, socio-spatial inequalities, and geopolitical turmoil: geography’s relevance has never been greater. Yet, paradoxically, the discipline of geography in Australia faces diminished public appreciation, semantic and substantive elimination from university programs, falling school enrolments, and the challenges of out-of-field teaching. Against this backdrop voluntary, community-based learned societies (VCBLS) such as Geography Victoria, the Royal Geographical Society of South Australia, and the Royal Geographical Society of Queensland bring people, passion, networks, and energy to the discipline. These community organisations promote the intrinsic value of geography, advocate for educational reform, foster original research, cultivate public engagement, and inject crucial resources into the discipline’s future. Given their membership, past and current contributions and scope for more, dynamic, thriving, and professionally appreciated and professionally supported voluntary, community based learned societies are not only vital to the revival of the discipline of geography in Australia but are supportive of broader local, state, and national communities. This paper urges practising geographers (including teachers) and the professional associations that represent them to engage with VCBLS for individual and organisational mutual benefit and for the future wellbeing and sustainability of Australian geography.