Quote:
Originally Posted by Night Owl
And why can't all stargazers get together, form an incorporated state and national association, and do the same for all astronomers, of all standings? Imagine having association owned state and national observation sites, with good camping facilities, and eventually some really world-class equipment to use as well? There is no reason why it can't be done. But on a disturbing trend, why haven't all amateur astronomers been able to band together already, and try and achieve bigger and better things than just all doing it all on their own alone in the dark?  |
Let's not mince words. Since the formation of the British Astronomical Association New South Wales Branch (BAA NSW Branch) by the amateur astronomer John Tebbutt in the late 1890's - stargazers in Australia have never really got along together. The point you make here I have experienced since joining an astronomical group since 1973 (35 long arduous years, Been a member, chairman, served on multiple committees, and even honoured) ... and it ain't changed in since this time!
The main problem is basically the set up of groups, which is giving near absolute power to just a small Committee bunch who dictate policy - right or wrong - over the entire membership. As the Committee are typically a random group of individuals often without the necessary organisational or business skills - who are there to solely to manage the Group. Instead, the Committee really only manage themselves - some to the extent of holding the membership to ransom.
I could give you a long string of arguments and an even longer string of examples - but in doing so I'd end up being the one "strung up" instead.
So IMO, 90% of the astronomical societies in Australia simply suck, and slowly have realised that you'll be better off doing it alone and reap the benefits of your own labours. If you are an imager or take observational note - and put it on your own website. Forget having to suffer the indignity of the inner political power-plays, egotism, bitter rivalry, with wanton display of their powers over others of the group (enforced by the rules of Incorporation via some Constitution), and ridiculous decisions that sometime defy belief or common-sense.
Ability is never rewarded but are consumed, where useful goals moving the Group forward are manipulated to stroke the egos of a few individuals. Those without money struggle from week to week to survive, but have few options of expansion due to either ability or geography. Those who rise to much larger group start a disconnection between the Committee and its Members, astronomy goals are transformed into running the Society and its finances. Through luck or benefaction, larger group are transformed into a Society more like a machine than some useful human collective.
Often profit and controlling the purse strings becomes the goal of the Committee, whose aim is more in improving their own high status than worrying about larger goals of co-operation and serving National astronomy as an useful science and educational pursuit. Such Societies are commonly unwilling to co-operate with others, and often hold there rival with often unfair or unknowing contempt.
Throughout Australia, our low and scattered population should suggest we have one collective astronomical society for amateur astronomers which is associated with a profession contingent overseeing the "global" needs and resources of the whole astronomical community. This has not been achieved - and the divide between the amateur and professional is a bridge few can cross. So astronomy in Australia collectively wallows as a bunch fragmented groups bound by no picture of its broader possible potential.
This is very unlike the South African or New Zealand experience, who have astronomers of all kind co-operating in harmony, who can achieve significant effort to the benefit of all. In the end it is just a view of some microcosm ideal of Utopia. They may say they are promoting astronomy, but the truth is they are promoting their own self interests. In the end you are left with a group holding their own prestige - pretending to be better than all the others. This picture is probably very bitter, but it my own experience it is fairly close to the truth - which extends to groups of other interests and hobbies. This is the reality of the current state of National Amateur Astronomy...
With enough supporters, this situation could be overcome with the proper will and determination. Not everyone will agree with this idea though because established empires are often inflexible to change. I agree with you here 100%!