The Australasian Institute of Mining and
Metallurgy (AusIMM) is a professional society for all those associated with the
activities of the mineral industry. Differences of opinion exist within the
membership of the AusIMM on the role it should play in the future as a
professional society in a changing industry and world environment. This same
dilemma is concerning other professional societies of which the author is a
member. Some of the activities and priorities of the AusIMM are reviewed in
order to clarify a frequently expressed opinion that it identifies with and
supports industry at the expense of representing the interests of its individual
members. By definition and by action this is certainly not the case and it is
concluded that all activities whether seen to be industry or member orientated
serve to benefit both. The AusIMM plays a most important role in integrating and
promoting the interests of all sections of the mineral industry whether
corporate or individual and the Presidential activities in education this year
provide an excellent example of this.