For some months I sought submissions from all possible sources and it proved to be a painstaking and, at times, frustrating task. Gradually, I was gratified to receive information and memorabilia from 'techs' and 'ex-techs' from all over Australia. Everyone I contacted thought the project was a great idea, but it was not an easy task getting these people to put pen to paper or even pass on a verbal anecdote. To those 'techs' who I cajoled, begged and made myself a general nuisance endeavouring to get their contributions, I apologise for intruding into their private lives. I can only plead guilty to over-enthusiasm for the project and trust that the final publication proves adequate testimony to their valued co-operation.

I make no apology for any omissions, particularly of the technical roll-call, as records, other than those who graduated from the Bureau's Training School prior to regionalisation of the Bureau's services, are generally difficult to substantiate. This Metarch Paper, therefore, cannot be considered as a complete reference, however the records shown, particularly equipment installation data and the names of Training School graduates, are authentic and accurate up to the date of publication. It provides convenient background to the role and operation of the Bureau's 'techs' since 1948, and should serve as a quick reference for all current and ex-members of the Bureau's technical fraternity. It should also be of significant interest to other meteorological staff who, hopefully, will not look unkindly on 'the poor old tech' and perhaps appreciate his efforts and forgive his occasional failures.

Pictures tell a thousand words and consequently I have included a number of illustrations which add significant interest and substantiation to what I hope will prove to be a valuable addition to the Bureau's Metarch Papers series. To the reader, I wish you interesting reading and, for some, the stimulation of happy memories.

Ray Clarke

Brisbane
September 1998

Bureau of Meteorology