Formation of a Club for Long Serving Officers

Dr Gibbs has asked me to express his regrets that because of the need for urgent discussions with the Minister in Canberra, he will not be able to attend the meeting.

He asked that appreciation be expressed to Mr Lillywhite for his assistance in submitting a proposal for the formation of a club of long serving officers and suggested that after I make a few introductory remarks on his behalf, Mr Lillywhite might be invited to chair the meeting. He expressed the following views, both as Director of Meteorology in the first instance and secondly as an officer with more than 20 years service in the Bureau of Meteorology.

The Director of Meteorology might occupy an 'ex-officio' position as Patron of the club. He did not believe that the Director of Meteorology should be President of the club;

He considered that qualification for membership should be set quite formally as '20 Years of service in the Bureau of Meteorology'. He felt however that any officer with under 20 years of service could be invited to attend functions as considered appropriate;

In regard to office bearers, Dr Gibbs suggested that at least two of these should be retired officers and one a serving member to provide the link between the two groups. Office bearers for example might be allocated to positions of President, Vice-President; Secretary and Treasurer;

As far as the title of the Club is concerned, he did not consider it should be tied to year 1956 and that a title more directly linked to the Bureau would be more appropriate, such as for example, "Under the Weather Club".

A link should be established between the club of long serving officers and the Bureau Social club which should have a representative at the meeting.

(A. T. BATH)
38 years 7 months
service in the
Bureau of Meteorology

20 May 1976

Bureau of Meteorology