The Australian Soil Club (ASC) began as a collaboration between the Kondinin Group and Professor Lyn Abbott from The University of Western Australia. It is a national network of land managers and others interested in increasing their knowledge of soils and sustainable management practices. The objective is to provide members with access to the latest information and research into the physical, chemical and biological aspects of soil. The Australian Soil Club Newsletter is produced for members on a bi-monthly basis. In addition, it is intended to hold workshops and seminars according to the members' interests and to develop a website.

There are currently 250 members of the Australian Soil Club across Australia. Topics of interest identified by members include: soil testing, straw and stubble management, soil compaction and hard setting soils, nutrient management and recognition of deficiencies, soil moisture issues and management, liming, organic fertilisers, acidity, salinity, soil electrical conductivity, and increasing organic matter. Authors for the ASC newsletter articles have been from a range of education and research centres such as NSW Department of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia and the Centre for Excellence in Natural Resource Management in Albany, Western Australia.

The first seminar held by the ASC was arranged by an ASC member in Young, NSW, and was attended fifty members of the ASC and other interested people on the issue of soil biological fertility. Other such events can be organized.

The Club is now affiliated with the Kojonup Soils Centre in Western Australia (which has been established by farmers with the objective of promoting knowledge of soil). We will be appointing State coordinators of the ASC to assist with organization of events and recruiting authors to provide articles on any aspect of soils as identified by members. If you are interested in participating, please contact Lyn Abbott (labbott@cyllene.uwa.edu.au).