Pat Sullivan New Regional Director, NSW

Despite his many years in Head Office, Pat maintains he has always retained his forecasting skills. His reputation as a 'super forecaster' was demonstrated not so long ago when he visited Darwin in the middle of the dry season carrying an umbrella. Within an hour of his arrival the city received a short but heavy fall of rain, accompanied by a knowing smile from Pat and startled looks from the resident experts.

Pat joined the Bureau as a cadet in 1960 after five years with the Victorian Education Department. He gained a Bachelor of Science degree at Melbourne University in 1962, and after completing the 1963 met. training course was posted to the Hobart RFC.

After five years as a duty forecaster he returned to Melbourne in 1969 as an analyst in the National Meteorological Analysis Centre in Head Office. In 1976 he worked briefly in the Extended Period Forecasting Section and the following year was promoted to Supervising Meteorologist in charge of the Coordination and Planning Section.

During his five years as SRCP Pat established a new format for the Bureau's forward program, aimed at providing a more detailed information base for Bureau management. Another major task was his involvement in the secretariat for the Meteorological Policy Committee, for which he assumed full time responsibility in late 1980.

His most recent achievement as SRCP was to supervise the preparation of the first edition of the Compendium of Bureau Information, which was published early this year.

A former amateur Aussie Rules footballer of note, Pat played competitively until the ripe old age of 36. He now keeps fit with swimming and jogging, and is confidently expected to be a member of the Sydney RO team in the next City to Surf marathon.

Pat's weaknesses include a passion for Darrell Lea chocolates and the Fitzroy football team. While remaining loyal to the 'Roys he'll join the South Melbourne team in converting many of the Sydney disbelievers to 'real' footy during the coming season.

During 1978 he made two visits to Saudi Arabia as a consultant to an Australian firm of architects seeking a contract to build a new meteorological centre in the city of Jedda. He made another visit in 1980 as a member of an Australian trade delegation.

Pat and his wife Mary have two sons and a daughter, all teenagers. His eldest son has accompanied him to Sydney to commence his HSC studies, and the other members of his family will follow later.

Bureau of Meteorology