Host: Australian and New Zealand Geomorphology Group (Inc.)

The Australian and New Zealand Geomorphology Group (Inc.) (ANZGG) was established in response to the need for a forum whereby Australasian geomorphologists could share their research ideas. A questionnaire sent out to nearly 100 Australian geomorphologists in July 1981 revealed a groundswell of support for the formation for an organisation that would bring together geomorphologists from across Australasia. With enthusiastic support from a number of New Zealanders contacted in advance, a conference was organised in August 1982 at Ranelagh House, an historic building in picturesque countryside near Robertson, New South Wales. Here the ANZGG was founded "the main purpose of which was to ensure the continuation of geomorphology conferences of the type held at Robertson". This objective has been spectacularly successful. Over the past 26 years, a total of 13 conferences have been held once every two years at venues shared between the two countries. New Zealand represents a highly active plate margin with a diverse array of relatively young, vigorous landscapes formed under humid climatic conditions where glaciers are in places active today. In contrast, time moves slowly in Australia on the highly stable low-relief central portion of the plate, with its ancient cratonic surfaces and extensive desert dunes interspersed with palaeoriver and palaeolake systems. Scientists from both countries have also been pursuing research in the adjacent regions of Papua New Guinea and Antarctica, an environmental spectrum from the hot-humid and alpine tropics through deserts and humid-temperate regions to polar icecaps. Such a diversity of landscapes has enabled a range of conference presentations that virtually no other regional geomorphology group can provide. Concurrent sessions are avoided enabling participants to experience the full diversity of research and environments on offer. In keeping with the relaxed attitudes that prevail generally in both countries, organisation and formality has been kept to a minimum. Venues are often in society or municipal halls, always well away from large cities and luxury venues, and in settings where local field trips offer exceptional experiences for those unfamiliar with the immediate region. International visitors are frequently attracted and costs are set to encourage widespread participation for professionals and students alike. As a result, many initially apprehensive students have given their first academic conference presentation in the company of enthusiastic and supportive senior academics who question constructively, commonly offer praise and who also engage them later in discussions over a beer at the local pub. The success of the ANZGG is illustrated by the fact it is now hosing this Seventh International Association of Geomorphologists conference here in Melbourne where many of these 'initially apprehensive students', now senior academics, will be offering support to a new crop of first-time conference presenters!