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1333rd Ordinary General Meeting and Open Lecture of the Royal Society of NSW — 6 August 2025

"PFAS in New South Wales: Is it under control?"

Associate Professor Ian Wright

School of Science

Western Sydney University

The presentation commences at 01:05

Timing Marks:

00:00:00 Introduction: Emeritus Professor Lindsay Botten FRSN, Vice-President, Royal Society of NSW

00:01:05 Presentation: Associate Professor Ian Wright

00:41:42 Audience Q&A

01:08:33 Vote of Thanks: Emeritus Professor Lindsay Botten

01:09:19 Meeting Close

https://www.royalsoc.org.au/events/1333rd-ogm-and-open-lecture/

Summary: In 2024, NSW became aware that some of its residents were drinking water containing harmful chemicals — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This was triggered by news that the United States health authorities announced new laws reducing the safe levels of PFAS in drinking water supplies. A Sydney Morning Herald newspaper article in June 2024, There’s no safe level: Carcinogens found in tap water across Australia, reported that PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ had been detected in drinking water supplies around Australia. The NSW Chief Health Officer declared on 11 June that Sydney’s drinking water was safe.

It came as a major shock when it was announced in August 2024 that the Blue Mountains water supply contained elevated levels of PFAS. In September 2024, Ian Wright assisted Fairfax journalists in tracking down the source of this contamination. Sampling water from a flowing creek in a ‘protected’ Blue Mountains drinking water catchment, they discovered PFAS at a concentration that exceeded the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines by more than 50 times. It later emerged that the contamination was probably from fire-fighting foam used to control the fire from a burning petrol tanker, which crashed in 1992 on the Great Western Highway near Medlow Bath.

PFAS is not just an issue for Blue Mountains drinking water. An additional concern is the impact of elevated PFAS on water supplies in rural and regional communities. Even grazing livestock are known to be susceptible to PFAS contamination of their meat if their drinking water exceeds trace concentrations. PhD student research supervised by Ian Wright has revealed that platypuses have substantial PFAS bioaccumulation.

Should people be concerned about their exposure to PFAS? What action should they take? Should they have their blood tested? Can we trust that contamination by PFAS is under control? Ian Wright’s presentation will canvass these questions surrounding an issue that is of importance to us all.

Ian Wright is a water scientist and an Associate Professor at the Western Sydney University School of Science. He teaches classes in water science and management, environmental planning, and environmental regulation across several degree programs. Before joining WSU, he worked as a scientist in the urban water industry, mainly at Sydney Water. His water science interests include freshwate... [truncated]

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"Agriculture over the Horizon"

Professor Alex McBratney AM FAA

Professor of Digital Agriculture and Soil Science and ARC Laureate Fellow

Sydney Institute of Agriculture and School of Life and Environmental Sciences

University of Sydney

https://www.royalsoc.org.au/events/rsnsw-poggendorff-lecture-2024/

The presentation commences at: 05:55

Timing Marks:

00:00:00 Introduction: Emeritus Professor Lindsay Botten FRSN, Vice-President, Royal Society of NSW

00:05:55 Presentation: Professor Alex McBratney

00:50:29 Meeting Close

This lecture was a joint presentation of University of Sydney and the Royal Society of NSW

Summary: Global deaths across all sexes and all age groups have risen significantly from 48.0 million (47.5–48.4) in 1990 to 60.0 million (58.9–61.Agriculture stands at a transformative crossroads—criticised for its environmental footprint, yet a powerful engine of scientific application and innovation. Nowhere is this duality clearer than in Australia, where farmers are among the most technologically advanced in the world, harnessing cutting-edge research to navigate an increasingly complex landscape.

This talk explores the evolving modes of agriculture—Industrial, Conservation, Precision & Digital, Regenerative, Decommoditised, and the emerging “3N” model: net-zero, nature-positive, and nutrition-rich. As we confront the mounting challenges of climate volatility, biodiversity loss, and shifting global food demands, the need for a new synthesis has never been clearer.

Alex McBratney’s focus is on the intersection of Digital, Regenerative, and Decommoditised agriculture, and how their integration offers a compelling pathway forward. Through digital tools, we can optimise production and resource use. Regenerative practices rebuild soil condition and security and ecosystems. Decommoditised models reconnect farmers with consumers, adding value and resilience. Together, these approaches help craft a vision of agriculture that is not only sustainable but revitalising.

What combination will carry us into the future? Join us as we look over the horizon to define a model of agriculture that meets the needs of people, planet, and profit—reimagined for the mid-21st century.

About the speaker: Alex McBratney is a globally renowned leader in soil science and digital agriculture, currently serving as Professor of Digital Agriculture and Soil Science and ARC Laureate Fellow at the University of Sydney. With an academic foundation that spans a BSc, PhD, and DSc from the University of Aberdeen, along with a DScAgr from the University of Sydney for his pioneering work in precision agriculture, Alex has made transformative contributions to soil and agricultural science. He is celebrated as a founder of key disciplines, including Pedometrics, Digital Soil Mapping, Precision Agriculture, and Soil Security.

Alex’s influence is recognised worldwide—he is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and a Thomson Reuters Highly Cited Rese... [truncated]

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Artificial intelligence is transforming the world. However, while it promises revolutionary breakthroughs, it is also raising profound ethical and social questions. Listen to Prof. Michael Blumenstein FRSN FACS and Prof. Nicholas Davis FRSA take a candid tour through the current landscape of AI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0wilVO2W20

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Western Branch Meeting 2025-2 of the Royal Society of NSW — 25 June 2025

"Hidden causes of rising disability and death in the working population"

Distinguished Professor Jing Sun

Professor of Biostatistics, Rural Health Research Institute, Charles Sturt University

https://www.royalsoc.org.au/events/western-nsw-branch-meeting-2025-2/

The presentation commences at: 04:16

Timing Marks:

00:00:00 Introduction: Professor Neena Mitter, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Charles Sturt University

00:04:16 Presentation: Distinguished Professor Jing Sun

00:48:31 Audience Q&A moderated by Professor Neena Mitter

00:53:52 Meeting Close

This lecture was a joint presentation of Charles Sturt University, as part of its Provocations Public Lecture Series, and the Western NSW Branch of the Royal Society of NSW

Summary: Global deaths across all sexes and all age groups have risen significantly from 48.0 million (47.5–48.4) in 1990 to 60.0 million (58.9–61.3) in 2023. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) now account for nearly two-thirds of global disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), with ischaemic heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases among the leading contributors. Notably, the working-age population has experienced the most pronounced increases in mortality rates, particularly among those aged 25–29 and 30–39 in North America and among those aged 30 to 74 years in all other regions

Occupational exposure to chemical agents, radiation, dust, noise, mechanical strain, and psychological stress may directly or indirectly contribute to mortality and chronic diseases. While the association between occupational exposures and systemic conditions is well-documented, their impact on physical and psychological health is underexplored in large population-based studies. Additionally, factors such as enterprise size, economic type, and job category may play a role in modulating the risk level. The present study presented two large population-based studies in Australia and China and discussed the potential impact of frequent exposure to occupational risk factors and health outcomes. Bayesian and SpXMod stage-wise models fit with a regression model with correlated, dimension-specific intercepts and covariate coefficients were used to estimate the results. Results of the studies suggest that efforts to reduce occupational risk exposure combined with surveillance to identify highly exposed populations should be prioritised.

About the speaker: Jing Sun is an internationally recognised expert in biostatistics, with a research focus on big medical data, chronic disease, and mental health. She leads innovative work in lifestyle-based rehabilitation, cognitive behavioural therapy, and the prognosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mental disorders. Her research also spans global maternal and infant health, birth defect prevention, and global disease burden analysis, underpinned by her expertise in biostatistics.

... [truncated]

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Ideas@theHouse: February 2024 — recorded at Government House Sydney on 20 February 2024

“Extreme wildfires in a warming world: insights and challenges”

Professor Jason Sharples FRSN FTSE

Professor of Bushfire Dynamics and Foundation Director, UNSW Bushfire

UNSW Canberra

https://www.royalsoc.org.au/events/ideasthehouse-june-2025/

The presentation commences at 12:10

Timing Marks:

00:00:00 Welcome: Colonel Michael Miller LVO RFD, Official Secretary to the Governor of NSW

00:00:39 Introduction to the Speaker: Her Excellency The Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of NSW

00:12:10 Presentation: Professor Jason Sharples

00:45:16 Q&A session: Moderated by Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM FRSN, Councillor, Royal Society of NSW

00:59:02 Meeting Close

Summary: Anthropogenic climate change is shifting wildfire regimes more towards the extreme end of the fire behaviour spectrum. This can be seen in recent patterns of wildfire occurrence, with fires exhibiting more intense and erratic behaviours, burning outside of traditional seasonal windows, and manifesting more often as violent pyroconvective events with global reach and impact. This can also be seen in recent patterns of wildfire impact, with wildfires frequently wreaking devastation upon human and environmental assets at unprecedented levels. Examples include the destruction of entire townships in the western US — most recently in Los Angeles, mass fatalities and destruction of coastal townships in Greece, unprecedented number of deaths due to wildfire in Portugal in association with their first recorded instance of pyrocumulonimbus, record fire seasons in Canada including wildfires burning above the Arctic Circle, and of course the Australian Black Summer.

In this talk, Jason Sharples will discuss the scope of the extreme wildfire issue and highlight some of the insights that have been gained through the last two decades of research. These include a better understanding of the fundamental dynamics of wildfire under extreme conditions and the unique hazards that arise as a consequence. Professor Sharples will also discuss the global impacts of extreme wildfires and emphasise the need for improved fire management, highlighting some of the complexities that need to be addressed. Indeed, finding an effective management solution, which balances the many and varied aspects of wildfire risk, presents itself as a significant national and international challenge.

About the Presenter: Jason Sharples is a mathematical scientist at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Professor of Bushfire Dynamics and founding Director of UNSW Bushfire. As an internationally recognised expert in dynamic wildfire behaviour and extreme wildfire development, his research has extensively influenced research, policy, and practice in Australia and internationally. He uses advanced mathematical and computational models to understand the dynamics of wildfire propagation and to pinpoint geograph... [truncated]

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RSNSW Provocations and Inspirations: 23 June 2025

“The Productivity Challenge: the role of innovations and R&D in Australian business”

Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM DistFRSN FAA FTSE

Australia's Former Chief Scientist (2021–2024)

https://www.royalsoc.org.au/events/lunchtime-series-provocations-and-inspirations-june-2025/

Summary: Drawing on her experience at the intersection of Australian science, innovation policy, and industry engagement, Cathy will examine the critical relationship between research investment and national productivity growth. Australia faces unique challenges in translating its world-class research capabilities into commercial outcomes that drive economic prosperity. Through analysis of both successful case studies and missed opportunities, she will outline practical pathways for strengthening the innovation ecosystem. The talk will address barriers, including risk aversion in industry investment, fragmentation of the research landscape, and policy discontinuity. She will consider how to foster greater collaboration between research institutions and industry partners, create more effective commercialisation pathways and develop coherent long-term innovation policies that can position Australia to have more knowledge-intensive industries. The presentation concludes with a vision for a more productive, resilient Australian economy built on strategic R&D investment and a culture of innovation.

Dr Cathy Foley completed her term as Australia’s ninth Chief Scientist on 31 December 2024. Before that role, she had an extensive career at Australia’s national science agency, the CSIRO, including as the agency’s Chief Scientist. Dr Foley is an internationally recognised physicist with major research achievements in superconductors and sensors, which led to the development of the LANDTEM sensor system to locate valuable deposits of minerals deep underground. Dr Foley’s scientific excellence and influential leadership have been recognised with numerous awards and including election to Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Science in 2020, and Officer of the Order of Australia for service to research science and to the advancement of women in physics. She received the Australian Institute of Physics Medal for Outstanding Service to Physics in 2016. She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Science and Engineering (2008) and an honorary Fellow of the Australian Institute of Physics (2019). She was made a Distinguished Fellow of the Royal Society NSW in 2022. Dr Foley is an inspiration to women in STEM across the globe, focused strongly on equality and diversity in the science sector.

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Every year, more people are displaced within their own country by disasters than by conflict. This number will be further amplified by climate change, which could potentially render some areas permanently unsafe.

Listen to Scientia Prof. Jane McAdam AO FASSA FAAL discuss how law and policy is responding to the challenge of climate mobility: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyBMbtQdBHM

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