Professor Frank Talbot, the chairman of the newly established Sydney Institute of Marine Science, will be the guest speaker at the annual general meeting of the Progress Association on Sunday 18 May. Dr Talbot has been a director of the Australian Museum, the Californian Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of the Smithsonian Institute. He was appointed foundation professor of Environmental Studies at Macquarie University in 1975, where he is now Adjunct Professor.

When he came to Australia 44 years ago, Frank Talbot fell in love with Sydney Harbour and he has worked tirelessly to establish the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS). It is a joint venture research facility based on Sydney Harbour’s North Shore at Chowder Bay. It will bring together teams of leading scientists to work on issues that are critical for the management of our coastal and oceanic environments. The Sydney Harbour urban marine environment is a major research focus of the Institute. SIMS brings together key researchers to form cross-disciplinary teams of leading scientists working on issues that are critical for the sustainable management of our coastal and oceanic environments.

Professor Talbot will speak about the Sydney Institute of Marine Science and show a 9-minute DVD about its research interests. He is particularly keen for all residents of harbour foreshore suburbs, such as Castlecrag, to come to the meeting and exchange information about our marine environment.

All residents are welcome to attend this gathering, hear our most stimulating speaker and join together for a picnic lunch and get together in the delightful grounds of the Castlecrag Community Centre. The meting commences at 11.30 am on Sunday 18 May and ‘business matters’ will be kept to a minimum. Please bring a picnic lunch and drinks to enjoy a social get together after the formal proceedings.