Founders of the Geological Survey of NSW

In the 1840s the discovery of copper at Carcoar, Molong and Bathurst, iron ore at Berrima and unconfirmed reports of gold west of the Blue Mountains, prompted the government to take action. 

On 1 March 1849, the Governor called for a Geological Surveyor to be appointed to the Colony of NSW, covering the geographic area that is currently NSW, Queensland and the Northern Territory. 

In 1850, Samuel Stutchbury arrived from England to commence his appointment carrying out a mineralogical and geological survey of the Colony of NSW. After publishing his findings, he returned to England in 1855. 

After Stutchbury, there was no official Geological Surveyor in NSW until 1874, when the discovery of significant mineral resources prompted the creation of a Department of Mines, which is known today as NSW Resources. 

On 1 January 1875, the Geological Survey of New South Wales was established, with Charles Smith Wilkinson in charge.

In 2004, the head office of the Geological Survey of NSW relocated from Sydney to Maitland. At this point the survey had around 50 staff in specialist roles such as regional mapping, minerals systems and petrography.

In 2023, Dr Phillip Blevin was appointed to the role of Chief Geoscientist and Head of the Geological Survey of NSW after 18 years with the department.

In 2025, the Geological Survey of NSW celebrates being an established government agency for 150 years.