Friday, 23 March 2001

MEDIA RELEASE - WESTERN AUSTRALIAN REGIONAL OFFICE

100-year awards presented to volunteer observer families in WA

World Meteorological Day is celebrated on 23 March each year and this year - in keeping with the United Nations-designating International Year of Volunteers - the theme is "volunteers for weather, climate and water".

The presentation of the Bureau's rainfall excellence awards to the Muir and Rose families will be a highlight of World Meteorological Day celebrations, the Bureau's Regional Director (Western Australia), Len Broadbridge, said today. Richard Rose and Andrew Muir will represent their families at the gathering of dignitaries, family and friends.

"The collection of accurate rainfall data over long periods is vital for forecasting and climate studies," Mr Broadbridge said. "The large decline of rainfall in the south-west of the state in the past 40 years has attracted international research attention, and the unbroken, high quality rainfall data from these families has been invaluable in trying to understand the reasons for the change.

"There are 6200 rainfall volunteers Australia-wide, with nearly 1100 in WA, and it is a special occasion when the data is collected continuously by one family for 100 years. This is the first time we have honored two families simultaneously."

Geoff Prosser, MP, Forrest, and Paul Omedei, MP, Warren-Blackwood, will present the awards on behalf of Dr Sharman Stone, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage. The presentations will be made at a luncheon from 11.30am at historic "Deeside" - 35 kilometres south-east of Manjimup - the original homestead of the Muir family and the site of their rainfall observations.

Ends

Further information:
Paul Lainio, Public, Marine and Special Weather Services manager,
tel: 9263 2279 or 0417 099 927, e-mail: p.lainio@bom.gov.au