Memories of the Bureau, 1946 to 1962
Foreword
Terminology
Prologue
Preface
Chapter 1: The Warren Years, 1946 to 1950
Chapter 2: International Meteorology
Chapter 3: The Timcke Years, 1950 to 1955
Chapter 4: A Year at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Chapter 5: The Dwyer Years, 1955 to 1962
Chapter 6: A Springboard for the Future
My Springboard
Proposal for More Staff
Efforts to Improve Scientific Status of the Bureau
Gibbs-Priestley-White Prospectus
Successes and Struggles with Ministers and Permanent Heads
Submission to Royal Commission on Government Administration
The Committee of Inquiry
Achievements 1962 to 1978
Appendix 1: References
Appendix 2: Reports, Papers, Manuscripts
Appendix 3: Milestones
Appendix 4: Acknowledgements
Appendix 5: Summary by H. N. Warren of the Operation of the Meteorological Section of Allied Air Headquarters, Brisbane, 1942–45
Endnotes
Index
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Efforts to Improve Scientific Status of the Bureau
I was convinced that the Bureau needed the highest quality scientists if it were to develop systems capable of using all the opportunities presented by scientific and technological advances. I argued that the problems facing meteorologists in the Bureau required the same level of scientific qualification and remuneration as scientists in the CSIRO and the Commonwealth Department of Supply. This was the one proposal in my submission which Cabinet was persuaded to reconsider.Doubts were raised by those bodies who saw threats to their own status or procedures. The Public Service Board feared that if the Bureau was allowed to recruit high-grade scientific officers many other Departments with scientific functions would seek to have similar treatment.
Some CSIRO staff considered that their status would be damaged if the Bureau were allowed to recruit top level scientists. Discussions of this part of Submission 194 in Cabinet and in the corridors of power in Canberra produced some strong opposition to my proposal by some powerful people. However it was encouraging that influential people like Bill Priestley and Fred White of the CSIRO were in favour of the Bureau's proposal.
Cabinet decided that the recommendation for upgrading scientific staff in the Bureau should be the subject of a separate submission. There followed lengthy discussions with Fred Wheeler, Chairman of the Public Service Board (PSB) and two of his Commissioners, Collins and Granger, which continued for two years. During these discussions the question of the appointment of a highly qualified scientist to the position of Assistant Director (Research) arose and I readily agreed that the position should be advertised overseas. This resulted in the appointment of Brian Tucker who moved into the position in April 1965. The PSB asked that Brian and Mr Moran of the PSB's office should further examine the matter.
People in Bright Sparcs - Priestley, Charles Henry Brian (Bill); Tucker, Gilbert Brian; White, Frederick William George
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© Online Edition Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre and Bureau of Meteorology 2001
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