At the Society's 156th Annual General Meeting, held on 5 April 2023, the results of the 2023 Council elections were announced.
The election was conducted by electronic ballot over a three-week period from noon on 13 March until noon on 3 April. Some 222 ballots were submitted by 664 eligible voters, corresponding to a return rate of 33%.
Procedural motions
- Approval of the minutes of the 155th Annual General Meeting (2022) — For: 177 votes; Against: 0 votes; Abstentions: 24
- Receipt of the 2022 Annual Report and Financial Statements — For: 199 votes; Against: 0 votes; Abstentions: 23
- Confirmation of Auditors for 2023 — For: 205 votes; Against: 1 vote; Abstentions: 16
Accordingly, all three procedural motions were declared by the Returning Officer, the Hon. John Dowd AO KC FRSN, as having passed.
Election of Secretary (two candidates)
- Donald Hector: 112 votes
- Bruce Ramage: 110 votes
Accordingly, the Returning Officer declared Donald Hector to be elected as Secretary of the Royal Society of NSW.
Since all other office-bearer and elected Council member vacancies received the same number of nominations as there were positions available, these nominees had been declared elected, without the need for a ballot, in advance of the election.
Council 2023–2024
The incoming Council for 2023–2024 took office immediately following the 2023 Annual General Meeting. Its composition is listed in the table below.
| Patron | Her Excellency The Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales |
| President | Dr Susan Pond AM FRSN (until April 2025) |
| Vice-President | Emeritus Professor Peter Shergold AC FRSN (until April 2025) |
| Secretary | Dr Donald Hector AM FRSN (until April 2025) |
| Treasurer | Mr Bhavin Raval MRSN (until April 2025) |
| Librarian | Emeritus Professor Stephen Garton AM FRSN (until April 2025) |
| Webmaster | Emeritus Professor Lindsay Botten FRSN (until April 2025) |
| Councillors |
Professor Katherine Belov AO FRSN (until April 2025) |
| Hunter Branch Representative Southern Highlands Branch Representative Western NSW Branch Representative |
To be advised (until April 2025) Dr James Rowe FRSN (until April 2025) Professor Mark Evans FRSN (until April 2024) |