How AuSHS began
The first proposals to establish a national society for horticulture received support at the Temperate Tree Fruits Conference at Roseworthy, South Australia in May, 1998 and again at the Vegetable Research Conference at Hawkesbury, New South Wales in July, 1988. A year later, a section of horticulturists from within the Australian Institute for Agricultural Science, in conjunction with the Australian Society of Plant Physiology, held a symposium in Brisbane, Queensland to promote the formation of a horticultural society. Largely due to the enthusiasm and leadership of Dr John Possingham, then of CSIRO, and a positive response from surveys of prospective members, a national steering Committee was established in early 1990. Under the chairmanship of Mr Jeff Peterson, and following several meetings of the steering Committee, a symposium was convened in September, 1990. At this symposium, a motion to form a Society, moved by Dr Barry McGlasson from the University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury, was carried on voices. A Management Committee was elected, and under the chairmanship of the first President, Dr Bill Greenhalgh, the Australian Society of Horticultural science held its first meeting that very evening.
Our logo
Our logo arose as a cooperative effort between Jim Hunter and Barry McGlasson from the University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury, NSW and Mrs Marlene Cameron from Michigan State University, who was visiting Australia with her husband while he was on sabbatical leave. The concept was to show that AuSHS cares for Australia and the logo features the Macadamia, the only Australian plant to become a major international horticultural crop. AuSHS is incorporated as the Australian Society of Horticultural Science Incorporated (Certificate No. A0023713V) under the Association Incorporation Act 1981 (State of Victoria).
Current and Past Office Bearers
| Year |
President |
Secretary |
Treasurer |
| 2004 - 08 |
John Chapman (QDPI&F) |
Russ Stephenson (QDPI&F) |
Victoria Lane (QDPI&F) |
| 2002 - 04 |
Tony Biggs (Cardinal Hort Services) |
Robyn McConchie (University of Sydney) |
Tony Haigh (University of Western Sydney) |
| 2000 - 01 |
Mike Titley (Seminis) and Tony Biggs (Rural Press) |
Robyn McConchie (University of Sydney) |
Tony Haigh (University of Western Sydney) |
| 1999 - 00 |
Robyn McConchie (University of Sydney) |
|
Tony Haigh (University of Western Sydney) |
| 1997 - 99 |
Mr Dennis Richards
Director, Institute for Horticultural Development, (Knoxfield and Toolangi), Agriculture Victoria, Department of Natural Resources and Environment. |
Mr Graeme McGregor
IHD (Knoxfield and Toolangi) |
Dr Martin Barlass
IHD (Knoxfield) |
| 1994 - 96 |
Dr Geoff Behncken
General Manager,
Horticulture DPI
Brisbane
Queensland |
Mr David Swete-Kelly
Queensland DPI |
Mr Calvin Winks
Queensland DPI |
| 1992 - 94 |
Dr John Possingham
Chief
Division of Horticulture
CSIRO
Adelaide
South Australia |
Dr Peter Scholefield
Scholefield Robinson Horticultural Services
Adelaide, South Australia |
| 1990 - 92 |
Dr Bill Greenhalgh
Horticulture Consultant
Cheltenham
New South Wales |
Mr Alan Seberry
New South Wales Agriculture |
Honorary members
Mr Graham Robert Gregory (1932-1992) A.M., B.Sc.Agr. (Sydney University), R.D.Oenol. (Roseworthy Ag. College)
Awarded honorary membership to AuSHS for major contributions to horticultural science and industry through his roles as:
Deputy Director General, NSW Agriculture
Chairman, Organising Committee for XXth International Horticultural Congress, Sydney, NSW in 1978
Chairman, Grape & Wine Research and Development Corporation
Chairman, Horticultural Research and Development Corporation
As further recognition of his contributions, the Horticultural Research and Development Corporation now awards, each year, two Graham Gregory Medals to selected Australians who, themselves, are recognised for their achievements in research, development and technology transfer for the horticultural industry.