Ross Maine—An Appreciation

Ross's untimely and tragic death brought to an end more than a quarter of a century of contribution to the development of the Bureau's computer facilities and its systems; in particular, the analysis and prognosis system. A full account of Ross's involvement would also be a history of ADP in the Bureau.

Ross joined the Bureau in 1951 as a cadet meteorologist. After completing his course he worked at SA Regional Office as a duty forecaster. He came to Head Office in 1960 and from that time was engrossed in the application of computing methods to Meteorology. Starting with a numerical one-dimensional prognosis approach (after Gates) in 1957, in 1961–62 he participated in joint Melbourne University and Bureau barotropic model experiments using Melbourne University and University of NSW valve computers—the CSIRAC and UTECOM.

In 1963 he selected an approach for developing an operational analysis system for the Australian Region, based on a review of results from other Weather Services. His active involvement in the development and operational testing of Analysis and Prognosis systems continued thereafter for many years. In the meantime he was equally active, as one of a team of four, in assessing the potential for computers in the Bureau, in the 1963 Exploratory Study, and then in the specification and selection of the computer system which was installed in 1968.

From 1970 he was engaged on research in the Commonwealth Meteorology Research Centre, and then returned to ADP Branch as Controller (later to become Assistant Director Computing).

From an early period he had a vision of a network of regional computers supporting and being supported by the Central Installation, through an advanced communications system. For many reasons this developed at a frustrating pace for him, and he was not to see the full realisation of his ideas.

His working life covered a period of immense and rapid changes within the computing world. From being objects of suspicion, partly because they were necessarily highly centralised, with users heavily dependent on the services of a small group of specialists, they developed remarkably quickly to the current situation of wide decentralisation with highly sophisticated software on user-driven and work-area located equipment of a power and versatility undreamt of at the start. Apart from tremendous increase in computer speed, which enabled more powerful meteorological models to be developed and applied, the quality and forms of output changed (represented by the rapid advance from the use of line printers with dot patterns to portray isobars to interactive colour graphics). The variety of data and the means of gathering and transmitting it to the computer (including in particular, satellite data) changed also. Ross was aware of these changes and to the forefront in recognizing their value to the Bureau.

These developments required expansion in the computer configuration; more power, storage, faster input, more diverse output to a widening circle of users both inside and outside the Bureau. This involved developments of software and systems for satellite data reception and use, modernising communications systems, both within Australia and globally, development of systems for Regional Office support, and advanced retrieval and display systems. In all these, Ross played a major part, sometimes pioneering new ideas and equipment, at other times, as a contributor to joint efforts from various sections of the Bureau. He was always innovative and looking for advance in facilities and systems. Sometimes, as was to be expected, his choices and directions were controversial, and sometimes hampered by lack of resources. At my last discussion with him about 3 months ago, he was full of ideas and dreams for the future development of computing in the Bureau.

As I see it, Ross's contributions were threefold; pioneering the introduction of computing in the Bureau; developing the first analysis and prognosis models as operational systems and continually seeking to develop and enhance the computer capability so that more advanced models would be possible. I believe that the current systems are still recognizably those which Ross pioneered nearly 25 years ago. Of course, many people have contributed over that time to their development, enhancement and improvement. In a note such as this, which focusses on the achievements of one person, one may inwittingly play down the role and achievements of others. Ross would have been the first to acknowledge that the Bureau's computing systems arose from the dedicated and sustained efforts of many highly talented people.

But his enduring monument is the analysis and prognosis system which he pioneered together with the complex of equipment and systems to support it.

Bureau of Meteorology