THE FROSTERLEY CLUB

About Frosterley

History

Office Bearers

Constitution of Frosterley

Friends of the 277

Roll of Honour : 1914-1918

Newsletters

For Information please contact:
Melbourne Branch Hon Sec:
John Cornall-Reilly jcr@bom.gov.au
Ph: 03 9669 4943
GPO Box 1636, Melbourne, VIC 3001

ABOUT FROSTERLEY

The Frosterley Club is open to retired and long-standing members of Bureau of Meteorology staff, including members of the former RAAF Meteorological Service. The Club exists to:

• Retain and strengthen social links between its members
• Serve as a link between the Bureau past and Bureau present
• Assist in preserving the written and oral history of the Bureau.

The Club holds a luncheon meeting on the fourth Thursday of each month at a venue notified by newsletter or through this Website. Usually there is a guest speaker. The Club arranges other functions as suggested by members. The Director of Meteorology is Patron of the Club.

HISTORY

During the mid 1960s, Dr Bill Gibbs, then Director of Meteorology, invited retired officers of the Bureau to Christmas lunch where they were able to meet former colleagues and talk about "the old days", and their subsequent personal interests. The Bureau became the RAAF Meteorological Service for the duration of the Second World War and quite a few of those present at these Christmas lunches had served with the RAAF Meteorological Service. During the mid 1970s Dr Gibbs suggested that a club be formed.

The late Steve Lloyd, a former senior Head office staff member suggested that the club be called "Frosterley" to honour the building at Number 2 Drummond Street, Carlton that had served as the Bureau's Head office from the Bureau's formation in 1908 until 1974. Before Federation, Frosterley had been the private residence of Dr Snowball. A picture of Frosterley appears at the top of this page.

From the beginning, the Frosterley Club has aimed at being a social fellowship embracing people in all areas of the Bureau, each of whom plays an important part in providing a unique service to the nation. The Frosterley Club is a vehicle of continuity in the history of the Bureau. Frosterley Clubs operate in all states and territories.

OFFICE BEARERS

Melbourne Branch meets every 4th Thursday (except December & January)
The current Committee of the Melbourne branch comprises:
Mr David Grainger : President
Mr John Edwards : Vice-President
Mr John Cornall-Reilly : Secretary [03 9669 4943]
Mr Jannes Keuken : Treasurer
Mr John Halford : Immediate Past President

The Brisbane branch meets 2nd Tuesday of every Second month (Feb, Apr, etc).
The current Committee of the Brisbane branch comprises:
Mr Fred Soutter : President
Mr David Brandt : Vice President
Mrs Pat Chassagne : Secretary [07 3345 9332]
Mr Col McIntyre : Treasurer

The NSW/ACT/Newcastlebranch meets first Friday of March, July & November.
There are sub branches in Sydney, Canberra and Newcastle.
The current committee of the NSW/ACT/Newcastle branch comprises:
Mr Geoff Smith [02 9153 8972] & Mr Russell Webber [02 9906 7238]

The South Australian branch meets 4th Thursday of each month.
The current Committee of the South Australian Branch comprises:
Robyn Bansemer : President
Mr Graeme Furler : Secretary [0427 832 747]
Mr Peter Blake : Treasurer

The West Australian branch meets every month on the 4th Tuesday.
The current Committee of the West Australian branch comprises:
Mr Doug Simpson : President
Mr Arthur Rae : Secretary/Treasurer [08 9291 8734]

CONSTITUTION OF FROSTERLEY
The main rules are as follows:

• The Club's name is Frosterley Club Incorporated.
• There are three types of membership:
  • Ordinary members : People who have worked in the Bureau for 15 years or were in the RAAF Met Service.
  • Honorary members : People who have given exemplary service or who are otherwise considered to justify the honour. The Director of Meteorology is also an honorary member. Honorary members have all the rights of ordinary members but are exempt from paying entrance fees or annual fees.
  • Associate members: This allows for the nomination of people who do not meet the criteria for ordinary or honorary membership but who are serving with or have served with the Bureau and are seen to be fostering the good interests of the Club. Associate members have all the rights and responsibilities of ordinary members.
• The annual subscription is $5, payable by 1 April, and the joining fee is $5. A general meeting may vary these. People who are prevented by distance or incapacity from regularly attending meetings, who have reached their 80^th birthday or who are widows or widowers of former members, are exempt from paying the subscription.
• The Club meets for lunch on the 4^th Thursday of every month, or on another agreed date. These are considered to be general meetings at which business may be conducted.
• The Annual General Meeting is held in March each year to elect Office bearers and to hear annual reports etc.
• The Committee consists of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Immediate Past President. They serve for one year unless re-elected. The President can only serve for two years. There are detailed procedures for nominations and elections, quorums, numbers of meetings etc.
• Widows and widowers of members are invited to the December Christmas meeting at the expense of the Club.
• Members may invite guests to meetings, but must give the Secretary 48 hours notice.

FRIENDS OF THE '277'

The "Friends of the 277 radar" is a group of volunteers establishing a display of a 277 radar console and transmitter so to preserve an important piece of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology's history in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Web Site: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/277radar

Emails: Send your emails to 277radar@yahoogroups.com and quite a number of "Friends" will see your comments and suggestions.

COMMONWEALTH METEOROLOGICAL BUREAU ROLL OF HONOUR : 1914-1918
The Bureau had a large Roll of Honour, to remember those members of staff who served during the 1st World War. It hung on the 1st floor of the Frosterley building until the Bureau moved to 150 Lonsdale Street, where it was kept on the 6th floor.

Photo of full roll of honour,  Closeup of left side,  Closeup of right side.

The Roll of Honour remembered:

• AFFLECK, A.
• BROPHY, J.H.
• CAMM, H.E.
• CHENU, F.A.
• CUNNINGHAM, J.
• FARROW, A.
• FORBES, E.L.
• GIBSON, R.R.
• GREHAN, C.F.
• LITTLEJOHNS, R.W.
• McGRATH, C.
• MULLETT, L.H.
• NANCE, J.H.
• RUSSELL, A.
• STACK, S.H
• TIMCKE, E.W.
• TULLOCH, A.C.
• WICKS, C.W.B..