Monday, 20 November 2000

MEDIA RELEASE - HEAD OFFICE - 2001 Australian Weather Calendar

Calendar tribute for Ballarat farm family

The Scott family of Ballarat in Victoria have been taking daily rainfall measurements for the Weather Bureau for the past 138 years. Their property, "Mt Boninyong", boasts a more complete weather record than Sydney, Melbourne or Hobart. In recognition of the commitment, the family's current observer Celia Burnham and their property at Scotsburn are featured in the 2001 Australian Weather Calender.

The calendar is dedicated to the Bureau's network of 6200 volunteer rainfall observers, and includes an observer from each Australian state. Victoria has a network of 793 rainfall stations, of which 684 are operated by volunteers.

Rainfall measurement has become something of an institution for the Scott family, the legacy of great-great-granddad Andrew Scott. Andrew founded the property in the 1830s and sent his first rainfall report to the Colonial Meteorologist in 1856, just two years after the Victorian Meteorological Office was established.

Celia Burnham, a direct descendant of Andrew, took over the reins 17 years ago. "My father (John Scott) used to do it, and it's just continued on," Celia says. "It's just something that's always been done. It's no arduous task; it's just part of life at Mt Boninyong." Each day at 9am a family member checks the rain gauge in the garden behind the homestead and records the reading in the Rain Register. "If I'm not home the girls will take the measurement," Celia says. "Someone's always got to do it! If we are going on holiday we have to arrange for my father to come over and do it." The figures are sent to the Bureau once a month.

The family's longstanding commitment was recognised by the Bureau in 1994 when they were presented with the Rainfall Excellence Award. The award has stringent criteria and is presented to families who have served uninterrupted for 100 years or to individuals who have served for 50 years. "We were very pleasantly surprised," Celia says. "It's nice to be acknowledged; very nice!"

The 2001 Australian Weather Calendar is available from the Bureau of Meteorology. It costs $13 over the counter and $17 posted within Australia. Special prices apply for overseas delivery.

Ends

Further information:
The 2001 Australian Weather Calendar website: www.bom.gov.au/announcements/calendar/
Mark Jenkin, Public Affairs Unit, tel: (03) 9669 4552, e-mail: pro@bom.gov.au
Main media release on volunteer rainfall observers featured in the 2001 Australian Weather Calendar.

Calendar sales (Victoria):
Postal orders: Weather Calendar, Public Affairs Unit, Bureau of Meteorology, GPO Box 1289K, MELBOURNE VIC 3001
Fax orders: (03) 9669 4113
Telephone orders: (03) 9669 4770
Over-the-counter sales: Ground floor, 150 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne (between Russell and Exhibition streets). tel: (03) 9669 4770