Western Australia
The Western Australian branch of Soil Science Australia is an active branch promoting the understanding and awareness of soil science throughout the state. The WA branch holds a Soil Science Seminar Series, the annual Boodja Lecture, field trips and other events throughout the year.
New members are always welcome to join the Western Australian branch.
Meet our Committee
President: George Mercer
Email: WA.president@soilscienceaustralia.org.au
Vice President: Gaus Azam
Email: WA.vicepresident@soilscienceaustralia.org.au
Secretary: Hira Shaukat
Email: WA.secretary@soilscienceaustralia.org.au
Treasurer: Mary-Anne Lowe
Email: WA.treasurer@soilscienceaustralia.org.au
Early career Representative: Maria Pfeifle
Committee members:
Tim Overheu, Henry Smolinski, Richard Bell, Lynette Abbott, Bec Swift, Kanch Wickramarachchi, Bidhyut Banik
Contact
Contact WA@soilscienceaustralia.org.au
State Soil
Arenosols are the Western Australian state soils, replacing Yellow Chromosol in July 2025. Arenosols are by far the largest Soil Order in Western Australia by area and come in many colours and forms. The most common are: Red Arenosols in the arid areas of the north of the state, Yellow Arenosols in the northern and central wheatbelt, Grey and Bleached Arenosols on the coastal plains of the south-west and Carbonatic Arenosols in narrow bands of dunes along the coast.