b'OpinionA future for geophysics in Australia?Given that the future (and present) of geophysics education in universities looks bleak, what of the ASEG, Australias professional geophysical society? Figure1g shows ASEG membership levels from 2013 to 2021, with numbers declining by more than 50%, a problem not just confined to the ASEG, as the SEG membership numbers also declined (Figure 1h).I do not have access to the demographic figures for the ASEG, but those for the SEG have been published recently (Figure 2). If nothing else in this article causes alarm, then surely this graph should, the age bracket with the largest number of members is 56-65, i.e., almost at retirement, with those in the 26-35 bracket being significantly lower.If geophysics is to stand a chance of remaining healthy in Australia, particularly in the case of further disinterest from universities, then the strength of the professional society is key. Unfortunately, as Ive shown, membership numbers are declining. The 2018 - 23 ASEG strategic plan listed three measures of successsupport of key activities, identifying and helping deliver geophysics education, and being a preferred source of advice. Although these aims clearly have merit, I believe that encouraging ASEG membership should be key, if not the key, objective of the Society. Clearly a larger membership base would help achieve the measures detailed in the corporate plan, e.g., the larger the number of Members, the better attended our meetings and conferences. I would suggest that the future of geophysics depends on having people who call themselves geophysicists, and the health of our Figure 1.Illustrative graphs of the state of the resource industry. profession would directly flow from this.How to boost membership is a topic for a wider conversation, but I believe seemingly radical ideas such as making membership free should be considered. Figure 3 shows membership income and expenditure on administration. In 2021 administration spend was higher than all the membership income, nearing $100 000. From a very superficial point of view, one might interpret this as meaning that the organisation solely exists to be administered.Although not directly comparable, many sports organisations, for example, have Figure 2.Distribution of SEG Members, the drop in the younger age groups between 2017 and 2022 waslarger memberships than ASEG but a result of free student membership ending in 2018 (the ASEG currently offers free membership for students).get by solely with voluntary or casual Reproduced from Shragge, J., 2022. A university perspective on the future of applied geophysics: The Leadingadministrators. For those sceptical of the Edge, 41, 162-163. effects of free membership one only has OCTOBER 2022 PREVIEW 22'