Henry Phillpot Retires

Henry, who was Acting Assistant Director (Research and Development) at the time of his retirement, was given an enthusiastic farewell at an evening function attended by more than 50 friends from Head office and the Vic. RO. Presentations included a bowls bag and accessories, and a cheque, and congratulatory telegrams were read from friends in regional offices.

The speakers, DIR John Zillman, Chief of the CSIRO Division of Atmospherics, Dr Brian Tucker, and A/ADR Bob Brook, all praised Henry's invaluable contribution to the work of the bureau, especially in the field of research where he had concentrated his endeavours for the past 20 years.

In a statement issued on the eve of Henry's retirement, Dr Zillman also paid tribute to his role in the development of Australian meteorology in the post war years, in both the international and local fields.

"Mr Phillpot's work throughout his long career has been characterised by qualities of scientific imagination, thorough and painstaking analysis, and professional competence which has earned him the respect of the meteorological community within Australia and overseas", Dr Zillman said.

A brief resume of some of the highlights of Henry's career shows that he joined the Bureau in 1940, served in the RAAF during WW2, and by 1952 was Meteorological Adviser to the British atomic weapons trials in Australia. He was the only Australian to witness all the atomic tests, which began at the Monte Bello islands and ended at Maralinga in 1957.

In 1958 he was the Bureau representative on a working party set up to plan the introduction of international jet services to Australia, and gave advice on weather conditions likely to be experienced in the Australian region at the higher altitudes to be flown by the new generation of jet aircraft.

From 1959–65 he headed the International Antarctic Analysis Centre in Melbourne, which prepared analysed weather charts for the various countries which maintained stations in Antarctica and on sub-Antarctic islands. When the Centre closed he continued in charge of the International Antarctic Meteorology Research Centre until 1969.

Since then Henry has held senior research positions at the Bureau's Head office, and in recent years was closely involved with Australia's participation in the current Global Atmospheric Research Programme.

He also represented Australia at many overseas conferences and on international bodies, including the World Meteorological organization and the International Council of scientific Unions.

In 1975 he was awarded the Award of Merit by the Professional officers Association for his outstanding contribution to the understanding of meteorology of the Southern Hemisphere, particularly in the Antarctic and Australian regions.

Speaking at the farewell function, Henry's successor as A/ADR, Bob Brook said the POA Award of Merit recognised Henry's contribution to science, but it also represented his compassion and interest in his fellow man. He worked for the union over many years, particularly in the arbitration cases in 1962 and 1970 as a Victorian Branch Committeeman and President of the Bureau Group for five years. His role in setting up the POA Credit Co-Op. also typified his interest.

"My association with Henry has been relatively short" Bob said, "but it has been long enough to appreciate why he is held in such high regard by so many people. The past few years have been difficult ones for the Bureau, and for R & D in particular. I for one have been very glad that we have had Henry for a helmsman. I'm sure that his steady hand and wise counsel over this time will still be felt in the years to come".

Although he has now left the Bureau, Henry Phillpot will not be lost to meteorology. He plans to spend a considerable part of his retirement working in the Meteorology Department of Melbourne University with Professor W. Budd, continuing his research into one of his greatest interests; Antarctic meteorology.

Bureau of Meteorology