The SSA was formed in 1989 by clinicians and researchers endeavouring to tackle the enormous burden of stroke in our community. The number of members has steadily increased to more than 300.

A scientific meeting is held each year, the program comprising keynote lectures by local or international experts and free communications. The New Investigators Award is presented for the most outstanding research paper delivered at each meeting.

In 1997, an off-shore meeting was held in Singapore, to develop links with our South East Asia colleagues. The same year, the SSA worked with the National Stroke Foundation to co-sponsor the World Health Organisation Asia-Pacific Consensus Forum on Stroke Management.

In the year 2000, the SSA hosted the International Stroke Society's Fourth World Stroke Congress in Melbourne, giving the SSA an international profile.

The SSA formed the Australasian Stroke Trial Network to facilitate participation of stroke units around Australasia in national and international multicentre therapeutic trials. The Australian Streptokinase Trial is regarded internationally as one of the key contributions towards successful thrombolytic therapy in acute stroke.

The SSA has representation on Federal and State committees which formulate government policy on stroke. It also has strong ties with the National Stroke Foundation, as the two organisations share the common objective of overcoming the problem of stroke.

Statement of Aims

The aims of the Society are:

1.	To further the study of all aspects of stroke
2.	To improve standards of management of stroke in Australia
3.	To foster investigation and research in all aspects of stroke
4.	To disseminate and promote the exchange of information about stroke within Australia, and with similar bodies overseas
5.	To solicit and enlist financial support from any source to fund and promote scientific work within the field of stroke
6.	To make grants or donations of financial aid to whomsoever the Committee deems appropriate to further the purposes of the Society in the fields of stroke
7.	Without limitation of the foregoing, to use such means to achieve its purposes in the field of stroke as may seem advisable to the Committee

Membership

The Society consists of ordinary members, senior members, and honorary members.

Committee Members

Ordinary Members

Ordinary members elected from professional working in the field of stroke or in kindred fields, who have an active interest in the work and aims of the Society. Members will pay dues as set by the Committee and ratified by the body of members. Each ordinary member shall be entitled to vote in person on each matter at every meeting of the members.

Honorary Members

This status is awarded to a person whom the Society wishes to honour for outstanding scientific contributions to the filed of stroke. Honorary members shall be exempt from Society dues but will receive Society journals and information as circulated to all other classes of members.

Senior Members

This membership will be awarded to members of the Society who have retired from active work in the medical aspects of stroke. Senior membership will be awarded for life and confers exemption from the payment of dues, but will still confer eligibility to receive all Society information and literature as circulated to all other classes of members.

Application for Membership

A natural person who is eligible to be a member of the Society on payment of the annual subscription payable under these Rules.

A person who is not a member of the Society at the time of the incorporation of the Society (or who was such a member at that time but has ceased to be a member) shall not be admitted to membership:
a) unless he/she is nominated as provided in sub-clause (3); and
b) his/her admission as a member is approved by the Committee.

Every nomination for membership shall be made in writing, signed by the applicant and shall be in such form as the Committee from time to time prescribes.

As soon as is practicable after receipt of an application, the Secretary shall refer the application to the Committee.

Upon an application being referred to the Committee, the Committee shall determine whether to approve or to reject it.

Upon an application being approved by the Committee, the Secretary shall with as little delay as possible, notify the applicant in writing that the applicant is approved for membership of the Society and request payment, within the period of twenty-eight days after receipt of the notification, of the first year's annual subscription.

The Secretary shall, upon payment of the amount within the period referred to, enter the applicant's name in the register of members kept by the Secretary and, upon the name being so entered, the applicant becomes a member of the Society.

A right, privilege, or obligation of a person by reason of membership of the Society:
a) is not capable of being transferred or transmitted to another person, and
b) terminated upon cessation of their membership whether by death or resignation or otherwise.

Membership Details

Persons eligible for membership of the Stroke Society of Australasia are professionals working in the field of stroke or in kindred fields, who have an active interest in the work and aims of the Society.

Membership entitles a person to receive regular newsletters and registrations papers for the Annual Scientific Meeting, discounted registration fee, eligibility to stand for office, and full voting rights.

A prospective member be nominated and seconded by existing members, using the downloadable form provided. The completed form should be submitted with a cheque for the subscription fee (currently ($A82.50) to: