The Royal Society of New South Wales is a learned society based in Sydney, Australia. It was established as the Philosophical Society of Australasia on 27th June 1821 and is the oldest learned society in Australia and one of the oldest learned societies in the southern hemisphere. The present title of the society was given by Royal Assent on 12th December 1866. Membership is open to any person interested in the promotion of studies in Science, Art, Literature and Philosophy. The society publishes the Journal and Proceedings of The Royal Society of New South Wales. Regular monthly meetings are held in Sydney and a branch in the Southern Highlands is very active. The Governor-General of Australia and the Governor of New South Wales are joint patrons of the society.