Tuesday, 1 January 2008

MEDIA RELEASE

Bureau celebrates a century of science and service

Today (1 January 2008) marks the 100th anniversary of the start of operations for the Australian Bureau of Meteorology in 1908.

From the early days with only a handful of staff, the Bureau of Meteorology has developed into a strong and innovative national science organisation that has adapted to the environmental challenges facing Australia.

Right across Australia Bureau volunteers, contractors, and staff work around the clock to provide Australians with accurate weather, climate, hydrology and ocean services using equipment as simple as rain gauges through to the latest satellite technology.

Every day of the year, weather forecasts made by the Bureau of Meteorology are broadcast via radio, television, newspapers and the Internet to millions of Australians who use them to help plan their day-to-day activities.

Today’s Bureau is much more than a weather service – it is an all natural hazards warning service for severe weather, floods, fire and tsunami. This role has been recently enhanced to include a leading role in making available the water information needed for national water management.

The Bureau is also the nation’s climate and oceanographic forecaster, and a research and development institute.

From the very early days of meteorological science in Australia, the Bureau has been at the forefront of much innovation that is now used internationally – from the use of upper air measurements right through to the development of numerical weather prediction. Recently the Bureau continued this tradition by launching the Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research in partnership with the CSIRO.

To celebrate the Bureau’s 100th birthday a number of celebration activities have been planned across Australia:

• In February a specially commissioned history of the Bureau of Meteorology “The Weather Watchers” by David Day will be officially launched by Melbourne University Press;
• In March the Centenary of the Bureau will feature as part of the celebration for World Meteorological Day; and
• In August the Bureau will open a number of its offices to the local community for a special 100th Birthday Open Day including science talks and demonstrations.

Further information:
Dr Neville Smith, Acting Director, Bureau of Meteorology, 0407 824 129

Media assistance:
Rob Morton, Corporate Communication Manager, Bureau of Meteorology, 0417 508 051

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