Institute of Surveyors
1861 to 1880: Inauguration of the Queensland Institute
Prior to 1876, surveyors in Queensland were not represented by a professional body. However, on 1 January 1876, the Brisbane Courier reported that a meeting of licensed surveyors was held at Lennons Hotel, George Street. Here they decided that they should form an association to look after 'the status and interests of the profession in Queensland.' Brisbane Courier 1st Jan 1876
This meeting was followed by another on 4 July 1876. It was decided by twenty surveyors to form the Queensland Institute of Surveyors. Surveyor G.T. Weale said at the meeting:
It had been thought by some that their institute was to partake of the character of a trade union, but such was very far from their intention. The institute had simply been started for the purpose of raising the profession from its present low state. The examination upon which persons were at present admitted to the profession was such as could be passed by any Grammar School boy. Brisbane Courier 5th July 1876
The officers elected at that first meeting were A.C. Gregory - President, G.T. Weale – Vice President, J. Warner – Secretary and Treasurer, Committee – J.R. Atkinson, J.C. Warner, R.D. Graham and W.P. Townson. By 1877 the Institute of Surveyors had sixty members.The Week 1877
One of the first Institute of Surveyors certificates, 1876
Courtesy JR Taylor
1881 to 1900: Ups and downs of the Institute
The activities of the newly formed institution were reported upon in the Queensland press for a few years. After 1880, it appears that its activities were no longer reported and the institute ceased.
At the same time, surveyors in North Queensland felt isolated and formed their own branch of the institute in Townsville. It also appears to have ceased to function soon after its formation. This could be due to the fact that surveyors spent long periods away from home base and therefore meeting attendance would be very spasmodic.
Surveyors, engineers and architects shared a lot of common ground in colonial Australia. It therefore comes as no surprise that in 1887 a new Institution of Surveyors and Engineers was formed in Brisbane. A.C. Gregory was elected first president and the famous railway engineer H.C. Stanley first Vice President.The Builder and Contractors' News 1887
Like its predecessor, this organisation appears to have only lasted a few years. This was due to a lack of membership leading to irregular meetings coupled with the state of the economy.
In 1899, a new Institution representing land surveyors in Queensland was formed and A. McDowall, Surveyor General, was elected as its first President. This time there was no failure, although prevailing economic conditions and the intervention of two world wars resulted in a fluctuating membership.
1901 to 1920: Annual dinner
In the early 1900s, the institute had a strong membership as shown by the attendance at the first annual dinner held at the 'Rose Cafe' in Brisbane, 1909.
1921 to 1950
Institute certificate, 1921 Courtesy Mr R White
Institute of Surveyors council, Qld Surveyors Board, 1928
1951 to 1985: Individual State institutions unite
In 1952, all the individual State institutions united to become one federal body - the Institution of Surveyors, Australia.
Many years after the southern States had formed divisions within the Institute, Queensland created a division in 1962. Papua New Guinea was initially included in the Queensland Division but was later included under the responsibilities of the ACT Division.
1986 to the Present: Name and structure change
The Institution of Surveyors was renamed and reconstituted in 2003 to become the Spatial Sciences Institute (SSI). This is a national body overseeing the professional disciplines of surveying, mapping, engineering surveying, mining surveying, remote sensing, photogrammetry, and spatial information.
Last updated: 17 June 2009