 A member of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union (RAOU), he was editor of its journal, the "Emu", from 1929 to 1960, the year of his death, a period of 31 years.He also served on the RAOU Checklist Committee 1938–1960, and as RAOU President 1955–1957.In 1957 he was awarded the Australian Natural History Medallion.