Ninety Years Ago: Birth of the Bureau

When the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology began operations on New Year's Day 1908, under the direction of the Commonwealth Meteorologist, Mr H. A. Hunt, it had a permanent staff of 30 Australia-wide with two positions vacant.

Staff Origins

Many came from the State public services, enticed by salary rises. Meteorologists mostly came from the State astronomical observatories, where the professionals were graded as 'first assistant', 'second assistant', etc. This nomenclature was carried over to the Bureau. It was a young staff, mostly 20s–30s. The Bureau was in the Department of Home Affairs, whose Secretary had a salary of 900 pounds, about $180 000 in today's money. Mr Hunt's salary was 650 pounds ($130 000). The Commonwealth public service had 12 450 staff with 10 900 in the Postmaster-General's Department.

Of course, in 1908 there was no aviation, no broadcasting to ships, no upper air network. Observations were reported around Australia at 9am, with limited numbers at 3 pm.

The Central Office in Melbourne acted as a super Regional Forecasting Centre. On the basis of the 9am synoptic chart, Melbourne meteorologists prepared 24 hour forecasts for all States (but not individual cities). Forecasts were telegraphed to the State offices, where staff could alter them in the light of later information.

Bureau of Meteorology