543197
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Royal Australian Chemical Institute - National Secretariat
Description
Agent TypeOrganisationIdentifierUMA-AG-000000264HistoryOn 26 July 1916 a meeting of leading chemists was held in Sydney to discuss the need for a chemical institute - the results of discussions at the Australian Chemical Association conference in Lithgow, NSW earlier that year. By August of the same year, an executive committee was elected. The Australian Chemical Institute began in 1917 with a central council and state branches in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. Western Australia's branch formed later that year, Tasmania was part of the NSW branch until it separated 20 years later and Canberra did not form a branch until 1980.
The Australian Chemistry Institute (ACI) was formed to advance the theory and practice of Chemistry in Australia, and to represent the interests of chemists. David Orme Masson, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Melbourne, and the first President of the ACI, was the driving force in the formation of the ACI. There initially was resistance to the idea of an "Australian Institute of Chemistry". Some felt that as the British Institute of Chemistry was already in existence, an Australian section of that Institute could be formed instead. According to some, this would have given the Australian chemists a higher standard of recognition than an Australian Institute. A compromise was reached with the formation of the Australian Chemical Association in 1916, which reverted to the Australian Chemical Institute one year later after state provisional committees were formed and a draft constitution put forward. The constitution affirmed certain aims and objectives of the ACI: to improve the status of chemistry and advance the interests of the profession; to better the facilities for education and examination of those wanting to achieve qualifications in the profession; and to obtain power to legally grant certificates of competency.
The Royal Charter (first sealed in 1932, supplemental Royal Charter sealed in 1953 to enable prefix "Royal" to be added to the name of the Institution) enabled the ACI to legally enforce its regulations. It also allowed for the use of the term "Chartered Chemist" by corporate members.
The RACI held National meetings, conferences, symposia, exhibitions, all of which promoted chemistry in Australia and enabled discussion and exchange of ideas amongst a variety of professions within chemistry fields and industries.
Administration
National Headquarters/National Secretariat, co-ordinates the state branches, divisions and committees of the RACI. There is a central council consisting of..... and an executive committee which is responsible for......The Institute structure/office bearers is/are as follows:
Chairman
President
Treasurer
Secretary
Branches, Divisions and Committees
RACI consists of State and Regional Branches based on geographic locations, Divisions based on subject areas of chemistry and Committees formed by members to achieve certain goals or to administer certain affairs such as awards, publications, finances, visitors and symposia, etc. The State Branches are as follows:
New South Wales
Victoria
South Australia
Western Australia
Queensland
Tasmania
Regional Branches:
Canberra?
Nth Queensland
Broken Hill
Geelong
Latrobe Valley
Newcastle
Divisions:
Organic Chemistry
Electrochemistry
Analytical Chemistry
Cereal Chemistry
Chemistry Education
Co-ordination and Metal Organic Chemistry
Polymer
Solid State Chemistry
Industrial and Engineering
Physical Chemistry
Agriculture and Medicinal Chemistry
Environmental Chemistry
Journals and Publications
RACI published its journal of proceedings aptly titled "Journal and Proceedings" from 1934-1950. From 1951 - 1977 the RACI Journal was just called "Proceedings", and in July 1977, a new format was produced titled "Chemistry in Australia", which is still in production.
Related Organisations (National and International)
Federation of Asian Chemical Societies
British Chemical Society (?)
Abbreviations
FACS Federation of Asian Chemical Societies
UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
RACI Royal Australian Chemical Institute
ACI Australian Chemical Institute
ANZAAS Australian and New Zealand
CHEMEX
CSIRO Commonwealth Science, Industry and Research Organisation
CIC
RIC Royal Institute of Chemistry
AAERCE Australian Atomic Energy Commission Research Establishment
FINEC Financial and Economic Services
AWRC Australian Water Resources Council
NZIC New Zealand Institute of Chemistry
NATA National Association of Testing
PAC-CHEM Pacific Basin Chemical Societies
APCC Australian Professional Consultants Council
NERDDC National Energy Research Development and Demonstration Council
CAS Conference of Allied Societies
IUPAC International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
COMO Co-ordination and Metal Organic Chemistry Division of RACI
OECD
QIT Queensland Institute of Technology
ACTFE Australian Committee on Technical and Further Education
CAE College of Adult Education
WRF Water Research Foundation
AWWA Australian Water and Wastewater Association
IAWPR International Association of Water Pollution Research
ASTIC Australian Scientific and Technical Information Centre
TAFEC Technical and Further Education Commission
Institute History
1914 : Informal discussions, led by Prof. D.O. Masson (University of Melbourne), at Australian meeting of British Association for the Advancement of Science, on raising the status of the chemical profession in Australia.
1916: The Australian Chemical Association formed at the Government Small Arms Factory, Lithgow, NSW.
1916 : Council of Society of Chemical Industry of Victoria moves to support the formation of a national body for chemists. Meeting of leading chemists in Sydney, convened by Profs. Masson and C.E. Fawsitt (University of Sydney).
1917 : Draft constitution completed. Provisional committees formed in the five mainland states. Inaugural meeting of state branches held in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. These branches, co-ordinated by a central council, became the Australian Chemical Institute (ACI) with founding membership of 400.
1918 : "Chemical Engineering and Mining Review" begins publication of a column "Chemical Notes", devoted to ACI affairs and interests.
1920 : "Schedule of Qualifications" sufficient for membership comes into force. Membership reaches 600.
1921 - 1922 : The Australian Association of Chemists disbanded, most of its members being absorbed by the ACI.
1920s - mid : Analytical Chemistry Group and Chemical Engineering Group formed within the Victorian Branch.
1923 : The ACI incorporated as a public company under the NSW Companies Act. Student members first registered in this year. Membership reaches 681, including 80 student members.
1925 : "Schedule of Qualifications" revised, now requiring a minimum of three years of tertiary study of chemistry for associate membership.
1930 : Prof. (later Sir) David Rivett discusses standards of qualifications with the (British) Institute of Chemistry and obtains its support for a petition for the grant of a Royal Charter.
1932 : Royal Charter sealed.
1933 : The West Australian Chemical Society disbanded, and its funds and qualified members transferred to the ACI. Use of the description "Chartered Chemist" by corporate members legally confirmed.
1934 : Institute Headquarters Office transferred from Sydney to Melbourne. Agreement with the publishers of "Chemical Engineering and Mining Review" terminated, and the first number of "The Australian Chemical Institute Journal and Proceedings" published. Corporate membership reaches 799, with registered students numbering 509. First Regional Section formed at Newcastle, NSW.
1935 : A Chemical Engineering Group and an Analytical Chemistry Group formed in NSW.
1937 : Inaugural meeting of the Biochemical Group in Victoria. First National Conference held in Adelaide, SA.
1938 : A Regional Section formed in Tasmania. Metallurgy and Biochemistry Groups formed in NSW. Victorian Branch conducts an 8-day Chemical Exhibition at the "Glaciarium" in Melbourne. A Chemical Industries Exposition organised by the NSW Branch.
1939 : Regional Section formed at Wollongong, NSW.
1940 : Corporate membership reaches 1000.
1941 : Tasmanian Section formed at Burnie, Tasmania.
1945 : Theoretical Chemistry Group formed in the SA branch.
1946 : Chemical Industries Exhibition organised by NSW Branch.
1947 : "Chemex 1947" organised by the Victorian Branch. Corporate Membership of 1653.
1949 : "Chemex in Adelaide" organised by SA Branch. Leather Technology Group formed in Queensland. Cereal Chemistry Group formed in NSW.
1951 : Name of journal changed to "Proceeding of the Australian Chemical Institute". Corporate membership passes 2000; corporate members 2193, students and other non-corporate members 938.
1953 : Supplement Royal Charter sealed, adding the prefix "Royal" to the name of the Institute. Corporate members now able to use the abbreviated designations FRACI and ARACI.
1956 : "Chemex in Melbourne" organised by the Victorian Branch.
1957 : Regional Section established in Geelong, Victoria. First National Convention, in Canberra.
1958 : First Hartung Youth Lecture (Victoria) delivered by Professor E.J. Hartung. Corporate membership 2821; non-corporate 705.
1959 : Pharmaceutical Industries Group formed in NSW.
1960 : Corporate membership passes 3000; corporate members 3042, students and non-corporate members 691.
1961 : Polymer Group formed in Victoria. Second National Convention, in Canberra.
1964 : Formation of National Divisions in specialist areas of chemistry begins, the first being the Polymer Division. Regional Sections formed in Broken Hill, NSW and in Northern Queensland. Analytical Chemistry Group formed in Queensland.
1965 : Electrochemistry National Division formed.
1966 : Third National Convention, in Canberra with National Divisions in Co-ordination and Metal Organic Chemistry (COMO), Heterocyclic Chemistry, Chemical Education and Electrochemistry all holding specialist symposia. Analytical Chemistry Group formed in Victoria. Cereal Chemistry National Division formed.
1967 : Gippsland Regional Section formed in Victoria.
1968 : Kelvin Hall, Collins Place, Melbourne sold, with both Headquarters Office and the Victorian Branch Office moving to Clunies-Ross House, the National Science Centre in Parkville, Victoria. Process Chemistry Group formed in NSW. Analytical Chemistry Group formed in WA.
1969 : National Divisions formed in the fields Industrial and Engineering Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry.
1970 : Fourth National Convention, in Canberra. Heterocyclic Division and Aliphatic and Carbocyclic Divisions combine to form the Organic Chemistry National Division.
1973 : Darling Downs Regional Section formed in Queensland. Physical Chemistry National Division formed. Chemical Education Group formed in NSW.
1974 : Fifth National Convention, in Canberra.
1975 : Goldfields Section formed - a Regional Section based on Kalgoorlie, WA.
1976 : Corporate membership passes 4000; Corporate members 4040, students and non-corporate members 2727.
1977 : "Proceedings" published in a new format as "Chemistry in Australia".
1978 : Sixth National Convention, in Surfers' Paradise, Qld. UNESCO proposes the creation of the Federation of Asian Chemical Societies (FACS) to countries in the Asian Region. RACI member Prof. J.R. Cannon involved in preparatory working group for FACS.
1979 : Inaugural meeting in Bangkok of the Federation of Asian Chemical Societies (FACS), with the RACI as a foundation member. Organic Chemistry Group formed in NSW.
1980 : Canberra Branch formed.
1982 : First National Chemistry Week (August). Seventh National Convention, in Canberra. Corporate membership passes 5000; Corporate members 5078, students and non-corporate members 2508. Analytical Chemistry Group formed within the Canberra Branch. Management Group formed within the NSW Branch. Industrial Chemistry Group formed within the Queensland Branch.
1983 : Agricultural and Medicinal Chemistry National Division formed. Second National Chemistry Week (June).
1984 : Third National Chemistry Week (July).
1985 : Fourth National Chemistry Week (July).
1986 : Fifth National Chemistry Week (July). History and Archives Committee formed. International Conference on Chemistry in Occupational Hygiene and the Environment, Darwin - Hosted by RACI.
1987 : Eighth National Convention, in Sydney. Environmental Chemistry National Division formed.Search records of this agent
The Australian Chemistry Institute (ACI) was formed to advance the theory and practice of Chemistry in Australia, and to represent the interests of chemists. David Orme Masson, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Melbourne, and the first President of the ACI, was the driving force in the formation of the ACI. There initially was resistance to the idea of an "Australian Institute of Chemistry". Some felt that as the British Institute of Chemistry was already in existence, an Australian section of that Institute could be formed instead. According to some, this would have given the Australian chemists a higher standard of recognition than an Australian Institute. A compromise was reached with the formation of the Australian Chemical Association in 1916, which reverted to the Australian Chemical Institute one year later after state provisional committees were formed and a draft constitution put forward. The constitution affirmed certain aims and objectives of the ACI: to improve the status of chemistry and advance the interests of the profession; to better the facilities for education and examination of those wanting to achieve qualifications in the profession; and to obtain power to legally grant certificates of competency.
The Royal Charter (first sealed in 1932, supplemental Royal Charter sealed in 1953 to enable prefix "Royal" to be added to the name of the Institution) enabled the ACI to legally enforce its regulations. It also allowed for the use of the term "Chartered Chemist" by corporate members.
The RACI held National meetings, conferences, symposia, exhibitions, all of which promoted chemistry in Australia and enabled discussion and exchange of ideas amongst a variety of professions within chemistry fields and industries.
Administration
National Headquarters/National Secretariat, co-ordinates the state branches, divisions and committees of the RACI. There is a central council consisting of..... and an executive committee which is responsible for......The Institute structure/office bearers is/are as follows:
Chairman
President
Treasurer
Secretary
Branches, Divisions and Committees
RACI consists of State and Regional Branches based on geographic locations, Divisions based on subject areas of chemistry and Committees formed by members to achieve certain goals or to administer certain affairs such as awards, publications, finances, visitors and symposia, etc. The State Branches are as follows:
New South Wales
Victoria
South Australia
Western Australia
Queensland
Tasmania
Regional Branches:
Canberra?
Nth Queensland
Broken Hill
Geelong
Latrobe Valley
Newcastle
Divisions:
Organic Chemistry
Electrochemistry
Analytical Chemistry
Cereal Chemistry
Chemistry Education
Co-ordination and Metal Organic Chemistry
Polymer
Solid State Chemistry
Industrial and Engineering
Physical Chemistry
Agriculture and Medicinal Chemistry
Environmental Chemistry
Journals and Publications
RACI published its journal of proceedings aptly titled "Journal and Proceedings" from 1934-1950. From 1951 - 1977 the RACI Journal was just called "Proceedings", and in July 1977, a new format was produced titled "Chemistry in Australia", which is still in production.
Related Organisations (National and International)
Federation of Asian Chemical Societies
British Chemical Society (?)
Abbreviations
FACS Federation of Asian Chemical Societies
UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
RACI Royal Australian Chemical Institute
ACI Australian Chemical Institute
ANZAAS Australian and New Zealand
CHEMEX
CSIRO Commonwealth Science, Industry and Research Organisation
CIC
RIC Royal Institute of Chemistry
AAERCE Australian Atomic Energy Commission Research Establishment
FINEC Financial and Economic Services
AWRC Australian Water Resources Council
NZIC New Zealand Institute of Chemistry
NATA National Association of Testing
PAC-CHEM Pacific Basin Chemical Societies
APCC Australian Professional Consultants Council
NERDDC National Energy Research Development and Demonstration Council
CAS Conference of Allied Societies
IUPAC International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
COMO Co-ordination and Metal Organic Chemistry Division of RACI
OECD
QIT Queensland Institute of Technology
ACTFE Australian Committee on Technical and Further Education
CAE College of Adult Education
WRF Water Research Foundation
AWWA Australian Water and Wastewater Association
IAWPR International Association of Water Pollution Research
ASTIC Australian Scientific and Technical Information Centre
TAFEC Technical and Further Education Commission
Institute History
1914 : Informal discussions, led by Prof. D.O. Masson (University of Melbourne), at Australian meeting of British Association for the Advancement of Science, on raising the status of the chemical profession in Australia.
1916: The Australian Chemical Association formed at the Government Small Arms Factory, Lithgow, NSW.
1916 : Council of Society of Chemical Industry of Victoria moves to support the formation of a national body for chemists. Meeting of leading chemists in Sydney, convened by Profs. Masson and C.E. Fawsitt (University of Sydney).
1917 : Draft constitution completed. Provisional committees formed in the five mainland states. Inaugural meeting of state branches held in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. These branches, co-ordinated by a central council, became the Australian Chemical Institute (ACI) with founding membership of 400.
1918 : "Chemical Engineering and Mining Review" begins publication of a column "Chemical Notes", devoted to ACI affairs and interests.
1920 : "Schedule of Qualifications" sufficient for membership comes into force. Membership reaches 600.
1921 - 1922 : The Australian Association of Chemists disbanded, most of its members being absorbed by the ACI.
1920s - mid : Analytical Chemistry Group and Chemical Engineering Group formed within the Victorian Branch.
1923 : The ACI incorporated as a public company under the NSW Companies Act. Student members first registered in this year. Membership reaches 681, including 80 student members.
1925 : "Schedule of Qualifications" revised, now requiring a minimum of three years of tertiary study of chemistry for associate membership.
1930 : Prof. (later Sir) David Rivett discusses standards of qualifications with the (British) Institute of Chemistry and obtains its support for a petition for the grant of a Royal Charter.
1932 : Royal Charter sealed.
1933 : The West Australian Chemical Society disbanded, and its funds and qualified members transferred to the ACI. Use of the description "Chartered Chemist" by corporate members legally confirmed.
1934 : Institute Headquarters Office transferred from Sydney to Melbourne. Agreement with the publishers of "Chemical Engineering and Mining Review" terminated, and the first number of "The Australian Chemical Institute Journal and Proceedings" published. Corporate membership reaches 799, with registered students numbering 509. First Regional Section formed at Newcastle, NSW.
1935 : A Chemical Engineering Group and an Analytical Chemistry Group formed in NSW.
1937 : Inaugural meeting of the Biochemical Group in Victoria. First National Conference held in Adelaide, SA.
1938 : A Regional Section formed in Tasmania. Metallurgy and Biochemistry Groups formed in NSW. Victorian Branch conducts an 8-day Chemical Exhibition at the "Glaciarium" in Melbourne. A Chemical Industries Exposition organised by the NSW Branch.
1939 : Regional Section formed at Wollongong, NSW.
1940 : Corporate membership reaches 1000.
1941 : Tasmanian Section formed at Burnie, Tasmania.
1945 : Theoretical Chemistry Group formed in the SA branch.
1946 : Chemical Industries Exhibition organised by NSW Branch.
1947 : "Chemex 1947" organised by the Victorian Branch. Corporate Membership of 1653.
1949 : "Chemex in Adelaide" organised by SA Branch. Leather Technology Group formed in Queensland. Cereal Chemistry Group formed in NSW.
1951 : Name of journal changed to "Proceeding of the Australian Chemical Institute". Corporate membership passes 2000; corporate members 2193, students and other non-corporate members 938.
1953 : Supplement Royal Charter sealed, adding the prefix "Royal" to the name of the Institute. Corporate members now able to use the abbreviated designations FRACI and ARACI.
1956 : "Chemex in Melbourne" organised by the Victorian Branch.
1957 : Regional Section established in Geelong, Victoria. First National Convention, in Canberra.
1958 : First Hartung Youth Lecture (Victoria) delivered by Professor E.J. Hartung. Corporate membership 2821; non-corporate 705.
1959 : Pharmaceutical Industries Group formed in NSW.
1960 : Corporate membership passes 3000; corporate members 3042, students and non-corporate members 691.
1961 : Polymer Group formed in Victoria. Second National Convention, in Canberra.
1964 : Formation of National Divisions in specialist areas of chemistry begins, the first being the Polymer Division. Regional Sections formed in Broken Hill, NSW and in Northern Queensland. Analytical Chemistry Group formed in Queensland.
1965 : Electrochemistry National Division formed.
1966 : Third National Convention, in Canberra with National Divisions in Co-ordination and Metal Organic Chemistry (COMO), Heterocyclic Chemistry, Chemical Education and Electrochemistry all holding specialist symposia. Analytical Chemistry Group formed in Victoria. Cereal Chemistry National Division formed.
1967 : Gippsland Regional Section formed in Victoria.
1968 : Kelvin Hall, Collins Place, Melbourne sold, with both Headquarters Office and the Victorian Branch Office moving to Clunies-Ross House, the National Science Centre in Parkville, Victoria. Process Chemistry Group formed in NSW. Analytical Chemistry Group formed in WA.
1969 : National Divisions formed in the fields Industrial and Engineering Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry.
1970 : Fourth National Convention, in Canberra. Heterocyclic Division and Aliphatic and Carbocyclic Divisions combine to form the Organic Chemistry National Division.
1973 : Darling Downs Regional Section formed in Queensland. Physical Chemistry National Division formed. Chemical Education Group formed in NSW.
1974 : Fifth National Convention, in Canberra.
1975 : Goldfields Section formed - a Regional Section based on Kalgoorlie, WA.
1976 : Corporate membership passes 4000; Corporate members 4040, students and non-corporate members 2727.
1977 : "Proceedings" published in a new format as "Chemistry in Australia".
1978 : Sixth National Convention, in Surfers' Paradise, Qld. UNESCO proposes the creation of the Federation of Asian Chemical Societies (FACS) to countries in the Asian Region. RACI member Prof. J.R. Cannon involved in preparatory working group for FACS.
1979 : Inaugural meeting in Bangkok of the Federation of Asian Chemical Societies (FACS), with the RACI as a foundation member. Organic Chemistry Group formed in NSW.
1980 : Canberra Branch formed.
1982 : First National Chemistry Week (August). Seventh National Convention, in Canberra. Corporate membership passes 5000; Corporate members 5078, students and non-corporate members 2508. Analytical Chemistry Group formed within the Canberra Branch. Management Group formed within the NSW Branch. Industrial Chemistry Group formed within the Queensland Branch.
1983 : Agricultural and Medicinal Chemistry National Division formed. Second National Chemistry Week (June).
1984 : Third National Chemistry Week (July).
1985 : Fourth National Chemistry Week (July).
1986 : Fifth National Chemistry Week (July). History and Archives Committee formed. International Conference on Chemistry in Occupational Hygiene and the Environment, Darwin - Hosted by RACI.
1987 : Eighth National Convention, in Sydney. Environmental Chemistry National Division formed.Search records of this agent
Description Control
Source of Descriptionhttps://www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au/guides/raci/provlist.htm
Royal Australian Chemical Institute - National Secretariat, [UMA-AG-000000264]. University of Melbourne Archives, accessed 29/04/2026, https://archives.library.unimelb.edu.au/nodes/view/543197