The Metarch Papers series was a catalyst for this latest paper which proceeded after Ray Clarke was given positive advice that the Bureau, in principle, was interested in recording the history of the Bureau's 'techs' in Metarch Papers. I wish to acknowledge Ray's subsequent initiative and major effort in seeking contributions from retired, separated and still serving 'techs', and for his initial compilation of the information. I must also acknowledge the significant work of Bill Hite in checking and then readying this information prior to its adaption to the Metarch Papers format. I am particularly pleased, too, that so many past and present 'techs' took the time and trouble to provide submissions.

The contribution to the Bureau of its 'techs' often goes unnoticed. But their efforts in installing and maintaining much of the Bureau's observational and communications equipment over many years have been absolutely vital to the Bureau's growth and development, and have contributed to the high standing that the Bureau's services enjoy today throughout the community.

This Metarch Paper records stories of hardship and isolation, of endurance and devotion to duty and of risks and dangers that 'techs' have been subjected to over the years. It records practices, unacceptable today, that were all in a day's work in years past and provides an insight into the field operations of 'techs'. These stories include episodes which most of us would hope never to experience in the Bureau. Most of us have never had to avoid snakes in the office, never had to take-off in a small seaplane avoiding coral outcrops, never had to sit in a remote airline terminal at 4 am being eaten by midges, never had to take food to a starving island community and certainly never been to a Patrol Station that was subsequently subjected to a fatal attack. The Bureau's 'techs' have seen all this and more, and I am most pleased that this Metarch Paper has recorded these stories before they were lost forever.

Bureau of Meteorology