The International Congress of Genetics has a proud history dating back to the year 1899. Held once every five years under the auspices of the International Genetics Federation, it serves to reflect on progress made in Genetics, to celebrate the best of contemporary research and to anticipate future developments in the discipline. The Congress has been held in many major centres around the world, but never in the southern hemisphere and, hence, never in Australia. Following a successful bid by the Genetics Society of Australia, the next International Congress of Genetics will be held in Melbourne, Australia in July 2003. The Genetics Society of Australia is pleased to be working with the Human Genetics Society of Australasia in the planning of the Congress 2003 will be a landmark year for the Australian Genetics community.

The Congress will incorporate the fiftieth annual Genetics Society of Australia conference. On the international scene a more significant fiftieth anniversary will be commemorated - the discovery of the structure of DNA by James D. Watson and Francis Crick in 1953. James D. Watson will be at the Congress to join in the celebrations. While there is much to celebrate in these anniversaries, the 2003 Congress program will find its foundation in more recent history - the completion of entire genome sequences.

Biological research is woven into the fabric of Australia's history.

In 1770 the east coast of Australia was explored as part of a scientific expedition.
The eminent naturalist, Sir Joseph Banks, chronicled the unique flora and fauna of a new continent with his sumptuous illustrations and his elaborate journal. In 1836 Charles Darwin followed the Australian coast in the voyage of the H.M.S. Beagle. In July 2003 a new page in this rich history will turn as elite geneticists from around the world gather en masse for the XIX International Congress of Genetics in Melbourne, Australia. Plan your journey to the Congress, explore its theme, Genomes - The Linkage to Life, and discover for yourself the awesome natural wonders of Australia.