Newsletter - May 2026

From the President 

2026 Update: Progress and Community Engagement

The year 2026 continues to be one of meaningful progress for Geography Victoria. Our dedicated volunteers – each contributing a unique set of skills - have been working diligently behind the scenes to strengthen the foundations of our organisation. Their contributions span a wide range of essential tasks: preparing fieldtrip reports, maintaining our website, managing financial records, producing newsletters, ensuring compliance requirements are met, and coordinating events. Most importantly, our members continue to demonstrate their commitment by joining Geography Victoria and actively participating in our activities. Your involvement is what keeps our community vibrant and growing. 

Highlights from 2026

This year we have continued our commitment to delivering a diverse program of activities that bring our community together and highlight the ongoing relevance of Geography in helping us interpret and understand the world. 

Most notably, in April, Geography Victoria was honoured to host an online GeoNight event.  We joined hundreds of geographers around the world in a huge range of events celebrating geography.  In our event we joined with other geography organisations to present a talk by Associate Professor Sarah Hamylton, of Wollongong University, with her topic ‘Plotting the Oceans’ where she captivated attendees with remarkable stories of some of history’s most influential maps and map makers. 

We extend our sincere thanks to the Royal Geographical Society of South Australia (RGSSA) and the Royal Geographical Society of Queensland (RGSQ) for their support. We also acknowledge panellists Rod Shearing OAM and Giselle Pickering, and facilitator Rob Gell AM, Patron of Geography Victoria. If you missed out on attending the session, you can view the recording.

Also in April, our popular Annual CBD Melbourne walking tour, led by Rob Adams AM, once again revealed hidden corners and fascinating stories woven into the city’s fabric. You can read a report on the event. 

Upcoming Event – May

Slow and Sustainable Travel: SE Asia Through “The Stans”

Air travel is no longer as straightforward as it once was. Join us for a warm and inspiring evening exploring the theme of Sustainable and Slow Travel - the first in a three-part series taking place at the Royal Society of Victoria over the winter months. 
More details about this event can be found below.

Policy Spotlight: Murray-Darling Basin Review 

Geography Victoria is keen to make a difference, and we were pleased to be able to contribute to the Australian Academy of Science submission to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan review.  

Looking Ahead

May offers many opportunities for geographers to get involved, and we have included a snapshot of upcoming events below. 

Looking further ahead, World Environment Day in June provides a valuable moment to connect our work with global environmental action. This annual occasion reminds us of our shared responsibility to care for the planet and encourages practical steps toward a more sustainable future.

Professor Ian Rutherfurd
President, Geography Victoria

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Registration Open - May Event

Slow and Sustainable Travel - SE Asia Through “The Stans”

Monday 18 May
The Royal Society of Victoria
6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Cost $15 (includes light dinner)

Join us for a warm and inspiring winter evening of stories, geography, and sustainable travel.

Robyn and Graeme share their unforgettable six-month rail adventure from Southeast Asia through Tibet, Central Asia, and Europe. Discover how slow travel can reveal landscapes, cultures, and human connections in ways fast travel cannot.

You’ll also have the opportunity to share your own experiences and explore how sustainable travel can shape future journeys. 

The evening includes: 

• A hearty bowl of soup
• Lighthearted GeoGuessing
• Inspired Travel storytelling
• Opportunities to share your own sustainable travel experiences.

Book now

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Feature: Victoria’s Energy Transition - Where to Now?

The latest edition of the Royal Society of Victoria journal Science Victoria focuses on Victoria’s Energy Transition: Where to Now? – a timely and important topic. 

The RSV will also host a panel discussion on this topic on 26 May at the RSV – a free event, but bookings are required. 

Further information
www.rsv.org.au/science-victoria

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Congratulations

Warm congratulations to the Geography team at The University of Melbourne, where the discipline was recently ranked 16th in the world in the latest QS World University Rankings.

As Associate Professor David Bissell notes, “this recognition really does reflect the hard work of academic and professional staff, graduate researchers, students, and the many collaborators and partners beyond the university who contribute to the discipline’s success”.

In other news from the University of Melbourne, lead researcher Associate Professor Stephen Gallagher from the School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences explains how tectonic plate movement over millions of years helped shape the Twelve Apostles into being one of the world’s best-preserved and accessible records of ancient climates and sea levels. Read the full article.

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Geographers Love Maps

Recognising our community’s enduring love of maps, we would like to introduce a monthly spotlight on fascinating cartography.

Do you have a map to share with our community? We welcome links or scanned copies. 

Recently, Glenn Cockerton (GV Board member) shared the Australian Operating Mines Map 2025, offering fascinating insights into the distribution of significant mineral sites across the country.

Map image - Photo by Paul Marlow from Unsplash

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What else is on in May?

Here is a selection of some walks, festivals, and exhibitions across Victoria:

Royal Exhibition Building Open Day

Saturday 9 - Sunday 10 May

A weekend of history and community connection, featuring tours, kids’ activities, performances, talks, exhibitions, food trucks and more!

This event provides a rare opportunity to climb to the top of the Dome Promenade and to see the unparalleled city skyline views for free.

Further information and registration

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Botanica Festival Ripponlea

Sunday 10 May 

The National Trust of Australia (Victoria)’s annual celebration of the natural environment, sustainability, and gardening.

Further information and registration

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Mount Macedon Regional Park – Bushwalk

Sunday 17 May 

Join this 17km bushwalk along the rim of the range at Mount Macedon Regional Park, exploring diverse habitats, fungi, wildlife, and unique plant life.

Organised by Victorian National Parks Association.

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Stephanie Cartledge Exhibitions 

Benalla - 27 March-19 July

An official exhibition of the Benalla Street Art Festival, Shared Waters, explored the quiet, often unseen lives of native animals inhabiting Lake Benalla.

Further information

 

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World Environment Day Events 

World Environment Day Celebration

Brimbank - Saturday 30 May 

Join Brimbank Council and Friends of Maribyrnong Valley to help create habitat along the Maribyrnong River at Caroline Chisholm Reserve in Keilor. 

Further information

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 La Trobe University - World Environment Day

Friday 5 June 

The School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment at La Trobe University, in conjunction with Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary, invites students, staff, researchers, and community members to come together for our annual World Environment Day event.

Includes A TED-style talk, the launch of the Environmental Research Network, a research showcase, stalls, a guided activity or walk, and light refreshments.

Further information

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Inspired Living Series - World Environment Day with Dr Ann Jones

Friday 5 June 

An evening with environmental journalist and television presenter Dr Ann Jones (from the ABC) and Gio Fitzpatrick (young naturalist).

Further information

 

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Look out for more World Environment Day activities in your area.

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David Attenborough Celebrates his 100^th Birthday

Sir David Attenborough marks his 100^th birthday this month, a milestone that feels almost as extraordinary as the natural world he has spent a lifetime exploring and sharing with us. For decades, his voice and vision have shaped the way we understand the planet and inspired generations to care more deeply about the Earth. We want to celebrate his century of life, the curiosity, wonder, and commitment to knowledge that he has championed throughout his remarkable career. We look forward to honouring his legacy at our Geog Vic June event.

Image generated by AI via Member Jungle