From Stephen Tyson
2012 Conference Chair

The Australian Geomechanics Society and the New Zealand Geotechnical Society invite you to attend the 11th Australia New Zealand Conference on Geomechanics (ANZ 2012).  ANZ 2012 is the regional conference of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering and is held approximately every 4 years.  The first Australia New Zealand Conference on Geomechanics was held in Melbourne Australia in 1971.  The theme of that conference was “Geomechanics – A Tool in National Development”.  Forty-one years later, this event returns to Melbourne, to a city and a world that is experiencing significant change and challenge.  As in 1971, our profession has the potential to shape and influence the future and build a more sustainable world.

For 2012, our conference theme is “Ground Engineering in a Changing World”.  The world wide community is facing great change; a changing financial system, a changing climate, a changing legislative environment and changing community perceptions and awareness. There are a host of risks and opportunities associated with this change.  This conference seeks to explore and better understand those changes and the risks and opportunities they present to our profession; be they challenges and risks associated with the changing coastline morphology, changing weather patterns, different modes of living, new materials and constructions methods, new methods for generating power or new ways to recycle or manage waste.

Two of the key changes that we have seen in our professional world are the growing numbers of women and young practitioners in our field. We especially encourage contributions from these groups. There will be a prize awarded to the paper judged as best to be submitted by a young (under 35 years of age) professional.

ANZ 2012 will include the presentation of technical papers, keynote lectures, panel discussions, workshops, technical tours, exhibits, and social and networking opportunities for both participants and their partners.

We look forward to welcoming you to Melbourne, Australia in 2012.

Stephen Tyson
ANZ 2012 Conference Chair

Conference Organising Committee

Senior Advisory Committee