The Fellowship of the Royal Society of Victoria is an historically recent college made up of about 30 Australian scientists and proponents of scientific literacy.
Fellows judged by their peers to have made an exceptional contribution to their field and/or to the public appreciation of science may be elected to Fellowship of the Society. Fellows are often denoted using the post-nominal FRSV (Fellow of the Royal Society of Victoria).
Fellows are appointed for life; this table also contains deceased fellows.
Fellows Yr Fellow Notes Born Died Refs 1995 One of Australia's most regarded botanist and a leading authority on the ecology of Australia's mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) forests. He was Associate Professor of Botany at the University of Melbourne until his retirement in 1989. 1927 2005 1995 Emeritus Professor of Physics at the University of Melbourne. 1930 2020 1995 Initiated the formation of the Victorian National Parks Authority (now the National Parks Service), was a member of the Environmental Planning Commission of the IUCN, and was a foundation member of the Australian Conservation Foundation. 1907 2002 1995 Director, Antarctic Division, Department of External Affairs and Leader of the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions 1949-1966. He founded the Mawson, Davis and Casey bases in Antarctica. 1912 2010 1996 Noted for his achievements in molecular biology, immunology and the molecular genetics of cancer with wife Suzanne Cory. 1940 1996 Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research from 1996 to 2009. With husband Jerry Adams, one of the first two scientists to pioneer gene cloning techniques in Australia, and to successfully clone mammalian genes. 1942 1996 An inventor and expert in solid state physics who also went on to work in science education and promote pathways for the development of the Australian scientific instrument manufacturing industry. 1925 2005 1996 Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research 1965-1996 and Professor of Medical Biology at the University of Melbourne. Distinguished for his contributions to the fields of antibody formation and immunological tolerance. 1931 1996 Company Director of a variety of companies, in the fields of science and finance. 1926 2019 1996 Chief of CSIRO Atmospheric Research from 1992 to 2002. His research has been mostly in the field of atmospheric composition and in particular the global carbon cycle. 1941 1996 Distinguished paleontologiest, paleobiologist and Earth scientist. Recognised as committed advocate for research integrity in his field. 1932 2024 1999 A geomorphologist focussed on the landforms and soils in arid and semi-arid areas of Australia, investigating the hydrology of ancient Australia and how water levels in Australia tied into global climatic events. While doing fieldwork in the Willandra Lakes in 1968 he discovered the cremated remains of what came to be called Mungo Lady, exposed on the surface of the soil and at risk of erosion and destruction. This and subsequent discoveries provided evidence of Aboriginal presence in Australia for much longer than had been supposed. 1930 1999 Professor of Microbiology at the University of Melbourne 1982-1991. One of the pioneers of the study of fermentation technology and a champion of gene technology development in Australia. 1922 2012 2001 An agricultural scientist whose research centred on how plant species adapt to climate through the differing flowering responses of early and late varieties and how this in turn affects the growing period. She contributed to the search for better crop and pasture species for Australia by increasing our understanding of genetic factors within a species that control reproductive development in different seasons and climates. 1911 2004 2001 A medtech inventor and co-founder of Optiscan, a company concerned with the development, manufacture and commercialisation of endomicroscopic imaging technologies for medical, tranlational and pre-clinical applications. 1943 2001 Polymath and political advocate for the sciences 1932 2001 Geologist concerned with the formation of the Earth and stratigraphy, discovering a common source of iron meteorites and leading the discovery of the mineral tranquillityte from lunar rock. Leadership contributions as Vice-Chancellor of Flinders University, Chairman of the Environment Conservation Council and President of the Murray Darling Basin Commission. 1930 2023 2004 1940 2004 1925 2019 2005 1924 2015 2005 1932 2007 1939 2025 2010 1943 2017 1940 2018 1939 2019 1942 2020 1947 2020 1941 2020 1948 2020 1940 2021 For his contribution to the geophysical sciences, to global scientific societies, to the development of our understanding of stratified fluid dynamics, the oceanography of Australian waters, the complex interactions of the global climate system, and to the leadership of the Royal Society of Victoria. 1941 2021 For his contributions to the public understanding of the geology of southeastern Australia, to the study of Victorian minerals and gemstones, to the publication of the work of Victorian scientists, and to the leadership of the Royal Society of Victoria. 1949 2021 For her leadership of Australian research in the field of astrophysics, her contributions to the advancement of early career researchers, and to the engagement with astronomy by students in regions experiencing disadvantage. 1951 2021 For her contributions to the teaching of chemistry, to the history of science and mineral exploration in Australia, and to the leadership of the Royal Society of Victoria. 1940 2022 For his intersectoral leadership in defining the nature and scope of biodiversity decline in Australia, developing clear, tractable measures for governments to halt and reverse damage to Australian ecosystems and threatened species, and the historic establishment of an Australian Biodiversity Council to foster better public understanding, collaboration and action on the biodiversity crisis. 1971 2022 For her contributions to the communication and public understanding of environmental science, the leadership of globally significant environmental research efforts conducted within the Victorian government’s Arthur Rylah Institute, and the leadership development of other women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine through the Homeward Bound initiative. 1960 2022 For her outstanding development of the Maths Olympiad program in Victoria for students with high potential, her commitment to promoting positive environmental and social impact practices in the finance sector, her business leadership of clean energy and medical diagnostic device companies, and her global leadership in driving the agenda for the Global Alliance for Banking on Values Governing Board Forum. 1960 2022 For his leadership of the Gunditj Mirring Aboriginal Corporation, his contribution to the UNESCO World Heritage listing of the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape, his commitment to the health of the lands and waters of Gundijtmara Country through establishing Indigenous Protected Areas and stewarding new governance programs for environmental water, and to the wellbeing of Indigenous Australians. 1968
References The Royal Society of Victoria.