It is obvious that in the early years of the period 1860–1870, the Royal Society held a very honoured place among the departmental scientific institutions and, in fact, became their spokesman on many occasions. It became the accepted principle for the President of the Royal Society in his anniversary or presidential address in March of each year to review in some considerable detail the progress made by such bodies as the National Museum, Geological Department, Botanical Department and Astronomical Observatory. This is perhaps not so surprising when it is realized that the directors and senior officers of these institutions were all at one time executive officers of the Royal Society and had no other means, in most cases, for the dissemination of the results of their research.

The widespread nature of the subjects of lectures and papers delivered during 1867, e.g., bears this out. In that year, there were two contributions relating to physical sciences, three to the natural history of Australia, three to the development of natural resources, two to pathological science, four to the geology, mineralogy and palaeontology of Australia and New Zealand, one to social sciences, and two to applied chemistry—a very good cross section of the scientific life of the State.

The visit of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh to Victoria in 1867 was made the occasion for the presentation to him of a specially illuminated address and a copy of the Transactions of the Society. In addition, the hall was 'on the night of the general illumination of the city' illuminated for the first time.

Royal Society of Victoria