This virtual issue acknowledges the Hundred Year anniversary of the Australian Coral Reef Society (ACRS), which first met as the Great Barrier Reef Committee in Brisbane on 12th September 1922. The collection reflects on many years of dedication of reef scientists, members and councillors to advancing our understanding of, and protecting, coral reefs.
The first three papers chronicle the work of the GBR Committee and ACRS Councillors in providing expert advice, reviews, and enquiry submissions about pressing issues for Australia’s coral reefs.
The remaining papers tells the stories behind some major advances to reef science, including the work of women scientists, Australian drilling expeditions to establish reef foundations at Funafuti and the search for marine drug leads by Roche Research Institute of Marine Pharmacology at Heron Island.
As a companion volume, Coral Reefs of Australia, ACRS have produced a centenary collection of essays about living alongside Australia’s coral reefs from Indigenous Australians, coral reef scientists, historians, social scientists, managers and politicians.
These are exciting times in a disciplinary field with an extraordinary history. I hope you enjoy reading about it.
Dr Sarah Hamylton
President, Australian Coral Reef Society, Guest Editor