The Sutherland Astronomical Society Inc. (SASI) was formed in 1961 when a small group of people decided to form a society and construct an observatory south of the Georges River. The Society was known, until the late 1970's, as the James Cook Astronomers Club. At present, a state-of-the-art 35cm Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope is mounted in the roll-off roof observatory. The Society also has a range of portable telescopes and binoculars available for members use. Some of the major activities of the Society and its members include Deep Sky, Planetary and Variable star observing; Occultations, Grazes and Eclipses; Photography and CCD imaging as well as Public Education Courses.