General Science Library
In mid-March 2026, The Moreton Bay Foundation released a benchmark new report: Sedimentation Impacts on Moreton Bay – a priority knowledge synthesis. It is released with major sections also published as an additional 18 standalone documents. The intention is to provide tools for advocacy and action, across a broad spectrum of interests in Moreton Bay.
Also published is an Executive Summary and a compilation of Sedimentation: Sources and Issues.
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As access to the Internet has evolved from the specialised to the routine, so have students and researchers become less likely to consult works that appear only in print. Numerous scientific reports earlier than about 2000, when digitisation became mainstream, are no longer readily accessible because the entire scholarly and research community has adapted to finding resources online.
On this page we will re-publish scanned works that come our way and dated prior to 1950.
This is My Land
This undated booklet by Apex Clubs of South Australia and Northern Territory is subtitled An Appeal for Conservation of Flora and Fauna in Australia – primary schools. Related Images:
Dedication Ceremony, University of Queensland – 1909
A leaflet published for the dedication ceremony for the University of Queensland in 1909. Related Images:
The Australian Flora – Shirley
The Australian Flora by John Shirley, a leaflet on behalf of the Education Department. Other works by John Shirley are listed in the State Library’s catalogue with dates of about […]
First Studies of Insect Life in Australasia – 1904
First Studies of Insect Life in Australasia dates from 1904. Related Images:
Descriptive Catalogue of Queensland’s Grasses – F. Manson Bailey, 1899
F. Manson Bailey‘s Descriptive Catalogue of Queensland’s Grasses, 1899. Yes, his taxonomy has been superseded by botanists in subsequent decades, but his observations on the ability of the pastoral country […]
Principles of Botany for Australian Farmers – 1938
Principles of Botany for Queensland Farmers, C.T. White Government Botanist, 1938, published by the Department of Agriculture and Stock. (79 MB). Related Images:
Federal Handbook on Australia – 1914
This remarkable book was produced by the British Association for the Advancement of Science in preparation for its “Australian Meeting 1914”. Not least of its remarkable features is a reference […]
Our Birds – 1932
This booklet (34.1 MB), compiled by the Syllabus Notes Committee of the South Coast Inspectoral District of the Education Department, Brisbane, Queensland and published in 1932, was compiled as a […]
Great Barrier Reef – 1926 perspective
The Great Barrier Reef of Australia, 1926. This gem turned up at a garage sale and seems worth preserving as a snapshot of official thinking at the time. Related Images:
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This page accesses a cache of historical documents authored by seismologists from the University of Queensland. Drs J.P. Webb, J.M. Rynn and Mr R.C. Cuthbertson were staff members of QUAKES or ESSC, a SRC unit within the Department of Geology & Mineralogy (now SEES). These documents include material that explains why the Queensland Government began monitoring for earthquakes around their dams and infrastructure. QSN is indebted to Michael Turnbull, Adjunct Research Fellow, CQU, for scanning these materials and Col Lynam, QSN Coordinator, for facilitating.
All files have been rendered searchable. To reduce the size of the files and downloading time, some have been “optimised” which causes a reduction in visual quality. However, every optimised file is accompanied by an original.
Wivenhoe Dam Seismic Surveillance
Discussion Paper 1981 (31.4MB)
Interim Status Report 1983 (5.0MB)
Reports to the Queensland Government WDSSP from 1 of 1977- to 7 of 1984:
WDSSP-1 (27.8MB) WDSSP-2 (21.6MB) WDSSP-3 (63.6MB) WDSSP-4 (12.2MB) WDSSP-5 (11.0MB) WDSSP-6 (7.6MB) WDSSP-7 (23.9MB)
Accelerograph recommendations 1984 (optimised, 5.3MB) Accelerograph recommendations 1984 (original, 14.7MB)
Burdekin Falls and Other Dams
Monitoring of Proposed Burdekin Dam 1982 (optimised, 4.8MB) Monitoring of Proposed Burdekin Dam 1982 (original, 11.8MB)
Burdekin Preliminary 1988 (optimised, 1.6MB) and Burdekin Preliminary 1988 (original, 4.2MB)
Burdekin Proposed 1989 (optimised, 2.3MB) and Burdekin Proposed 1989 (original, 6.5MB)
Awoonga Report 1994 (optimised, 1.4MB) Awoonga Report 1994 (original, 3.5MB)
Seismic Surveillance of Dams 1994 (original, 6.5MB)
Seismic Risk
Seismic Risk Study:
QSRS-1 1985 (optimised, 3.1MB) QSRS-1 (original, 7.9MB) QSRS-2 1986 (optimised, 2.6MB) QSRS-2 (original, 6.1MB)
Seismic Risk Estimates 1989 (22.3MB)
Earthquake Activity
Regional Seismic Network 1994-5 (4.3MB)
Earthquake activity to 1994 (18.7MB)
Seismograph records, 1866-2007
See also a series of annual reports originating in Central Queensland University.
Earthquake Engineering Workshops
Introduction Nov. 1984 (optimised, 45.2MB) Introduction Nov. 1984 (original, 108.3MB)
Second Workshop Nov. 1987 (optimised, 18.7MB) Second Workshop Nov. 1987 (original, 53.4MB)
Third Workshop Nov. 1989 Volume 1 (optimised, 22.4MB) Third Workshop Volume 1 (original, 53.4MB)
Third Workshop Nov. 1989 Volume 2 (original, 41.1MB)
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Research Director of the Royal Society of Queensland, Dr Nelson Quinn, has announced the successful applicants for grants from Round 8 of the Society’s Research Fund.
Zijun Li (Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane) will be assessing the impact on our healthcare system and costs due to bushfire-related very small particles in the air in Queensland, an increasing problem if bushfires continue to increase. This knowledge can help inform targeted policies to mitigate the adverse effect of these particles.
Emily Smith (University of Queensland, Brisbane) is researching when, how and where ticks produce alpha-gal in their saliva, the cause of life-threatening allergic reactions to products of non-human mammals and some cancer treatment drugs, and of adverse effects on the cardio-vascular system. The prevalence of alpha-gal syndrome has been increasing, likely driven by rapid land use changes in peri-urban areas.
Ji Zhang (University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba) aims to develop an AI-enhanced data integration platform in collaboration with Indigenous communities to enhance preventative health measures for Indigenous communities on the Darling Downs.
Cecilia Villacorta-Rath (James Cook University, Townsville) is studying how to improve methods for aiding eradication efforts of invasive ant species, such as yellow crazy ants. More cost-effective and simpler ways of processing DNA collected from the environment will assist in determining the success of eradication efforts, particularly in remote areas.
Bridget Nolan (James Cook University, Townsville) will examine predator-prey dynamics involving great hammerhead sharks, the predators, and white spotted eagle rays and cowtail rays, the prey, in intertidal ecosystems. This research will provide knowledge necessary to formulate effective management strategies for intertidal flat habitats and the species that depend upon them.
Christina Birnbaum (University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba) aims to increase understanding of how knowledge of mycorrhizal fungal communities can facilitate the conservation and restoration of eucalypt forests, the most widely distributed forest ecosystems in Australia.
Viviana Gonzalez-Astudillo (University of Queensland, Gatton) is investigating the cause of skin and facial tumours in tree frogs from North Queensland. The work will contribute to ecosystem health monitoring and effective conservation strategies, as well as revealing the extent and role of toxicants and cancer-causing viruses in the environment.
Dr Quinn added that “There were more than 20 other worthy applicants that we could not support this time.” This number is a sad commentary on the state of funding of Australian science.
“The Research Fund is supported by donations. There are continuing calls for greater investment in research supporting our natural environment and how we interact with it. Queensland has unique needs and many eager and talented researchers. We want to increase the numbers of researchers we can help. Donations are tax deductible.”
For more information see https://www.royalsocietyqld.org/research/
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STELR is a hands-on, inquiry-based and in-curriculum program designed to be taught within the curriculum so that all students participate in inquiry learning that engages students in STEM.
STELR is a project of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, which was a partner with The Royal Society of Queensland in 2015 in proposing a Queensland-focused library of educational materials – see separate post on STARportal.
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For 20 years, Cosmos Magazine inspired curiosity and made science accessible to everyone. It was a trusted source of fact-based content that attracted a large audience from across the globe.
To increase its reach and impact, Cosmos Magazine’s free online news service has migrated to the new platform ConnectSci News. It will maintain its editorial independence and publication of easy to understand, fact-based content. ConnectSci brings together CSIRO Publishing’s journals, books and news service.
Free weekly news updates and free monthly subject newsletters are available. To manage email preferences visit https://connectsci.au/news/pages/newsletters . More generally, you may contact the publishers on csiropublishing@csiro.au or 1300 788000.
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Allocation or Regulation: Reasserting Society’s Control Over Corporations Through Tenure.
This paper, by Society members the late David Marlow and Dr Geoff Edwards, was delivered by Geoff Edwards to the 25th annual conference of the International Association of Business and Society held in Sydney in 2014.
There is a fundamental defect in the neoclassical sub-discipline economics in its attitude to government activity. Neoclassical economics regards government activity as inherently inefficient and advocates outsourcing or privatisation as much is possible to commercial entities, the community or individuals. This ignores the power of ownership.
This paper explains that the direct tools of allocation of tenure or ownership are greater and simpler than the indirect tools of regulating private activity after privatisation. Tenure administration involves withholding permissions; regulation involves withdrawing them after they have been granted.
This paper was peer reviewed before publication by the IABS but the link on its website, other than to the conference program, (pdf here) has subsequently been broken.
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Dan Daly, an officer of the Department of Primary Industries, compiled this critique of drought policy after being transferred to the Department’s Drought Secretariat. Qualified originally in agriculture and latterly in economics, his analysis was inconsistent with the conventional wisdom of the day.
” The potential for a drought begins on the first day after rain. As dry day follows dry day, the possibility of a drought developing increases. It can become difficult to distinguish
between ‘normal weather’ and ‘drought’. The distinction between what is normal and what is not blurs with each passing day.”
Society President Charles Nason was acquainted with Dan Daly. “Dan Daly was brave enough to speak out about his concerns about drought subsidies , was stood down as a result… It took a brave man to speak up in Qld those days.”
Mr Day was removed from the Secretariat in 1989 and his analysis came to an end. The book was published in 1994.
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In 2020, the Royal Society of Queensland, along with the Australian Rangeland Society, submitted in favour of this initiative to the Government of Mongolia, sponsor of the proposal. The letter of support explains the justification.
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Help us shape the future of the Biodiversity Heritage Library
The Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL) is at a turning point. After nearly two decades of calling the Smithsonian Institution home, BHL must transition to a new hosting structure beginning in January 2026. Since receiving that news, we’ve been working steadily to secure a strong and sustainable future for BHL. In our last update, we shared the appointment of a Transition Director, the formation of a Transition Team, and a partnership with a fiscal sponsor.
Today, we release our official Call for Support. This is a pivotal moment in BHL’s journey, and we are counting on our community to help spread the word and contribute in whatever ways you can. BHL’s enduring strength comes from its international consortium and diverse community of scientists and citizen scientists who use the platform to explore, understand, and protect biodiversity. Support comes in many forms–some visible, some behind the scenes–but all are vital to BHL’s future.
Additionally, in keeping with our commitment to transparency, we are updating our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to include information about the transition. New questions will be added regularly, so we encourage you to read and visit them often.
More About the Call for Support
🔗 Call for Support – Secure the Future of BHL
This global call invites partners to host or support BHL’s core roles, infrastructure, and services as we move through the next phase of our journey. From libraries and museums to universities, research centers, and nonprofit partners, we’re looking for new collaborators to carry BHL’s vital work forward.
We welcome support in the form of:
- Hosting key BHL roles or services (short- or long-term)
- Contributing in-kind support (e.g. staffing, infrastructure, expertise)
- Partnering on collaborative grants or funding proposals
- Providing financial support via our new fiscal sponsor
Key Dates
We encourage initial expressions of interest by 31 August 2025, with consideration continuing on a rolling basis.
Questions and expressions of interest can be directed to:
Kelli Trei, BHL Transition Director
Email: TransitionDirector@biodiversitylibrary.org
How You Can Help
Even if you or your institution isn’t in a position to provide financial or hosting support, you can still make a huge impact:
📢 Share this post and the Call for Support widely across your networks
🤝 Connect us with institutions, colleagues and funders who might want to get involved
💬 Contribute ideas: we welcome creative and collaborative proposals
🌱 Support BHL directly: Make a Donation
Together, We Can Secure BHL’s Future
For 20 years, BHL has given researchers, educators, and the public free access to centuries of biodiversity knowledge. With your help, we’ll ensure this incredible resource continues to thrive and grow for generations to come.