Dear Minister

In accordance with section 70 of the Public Service Act 1999, I present the Annual Report of the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology for 2002–03.

Having assumed the role of Director of Meteorology on 1 July 2003, this report represents the activities, achievements and performance of the Bureau under the previous Director of Meteorology, Dr. John Zillman AO. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the enormous contribution that Dr Zillman has made to the Bureau and through it, to the Australian community, over the 25 year period of his stewardship.

I would like to acknowledge the strong support the Bureau has received over the last year from your Parliamentary Secretary, Dr. Sharman Stone, to whom you have given responsibility for the Bureau of Meteorology.

In addition, I wish to place on record my gratitude to Dr Zillman and the staff of the Bureau for their dedicated efforts in maintaining the quality of Australia’s meteorological operations and services throughout 2002–03.

Yours Sincerely