The Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society (ANZBMS) is a not-for-profit collegiate organisation and principal professional body for scientists and clinicians involved in bone and mineral metabolism research in Australia and New Zealand. Since its inception in 1988, the ANZBMS has become one of the premier bone research societies in Australia, with its members recognised for their outstanding contributions made to clinical and biomedical musculoskeletal research. The ANZBMS continues to act as a policy advisor to governments and the community throughout Australasia on issues such as clinical bone disease and funding for musculoskeletal research. Aims and purpose of the Society The major goal of the ANZBMS is the nurturing, development and dissemination of new knowledge regarding bone and mineral metabolism, with particular emphasis on issues of clinical relevance. The ANZBMS aims to promote excellence in bone and mineral research, to foster the integration of clinical and basic science, and to facilitate the translation of our science to health care. The society prides itself of its continued and successful activities to advance the education of clinicians, allied health professionals and the public in the nature of and management of diseases impacting upon the skeleton. History The ANZBMS developed from a series of bone research symposia held in the late 1970s and early 1980s throughout Australia and New Zealand, which eventually led to the founding of the society at the Auckland Bone Symposium in 1988, with Professor Thomas John (Jack) Martin as its inaugural president. The first annual meeting was held in Perth in 1990. Since then, the society has continued to hold successful scientific meetings on an annual basis, with a focus on biomedical and clinical research in musculoskeletal biology and disease. Over the last decade, the ANZBMS membership has grown continuously and is now over 500. The ANZBMS maintains regular contact with its members through its website and e-newsletters. A strategic plan, drafted by ANZBMS Council in 2006, aimed to enhance membership involvement and implement initiatives to encourage young investigators to pursue careers in bone and mineral research. The ANZBMS has developed, and strongly supports, advocacy initiatives to facilitate increased funding for bone research from governmental and non-governmental sources in both Australia and New Zealand. Members of the society actively address clinical and basic science issues and take leadership roles in identifying, defining and then developing strategic plans to address key problems in basic and clinical musculoskeletal science.