Recording the weather

Meteorology appealed to Australia’s early nation builders. By gaining knowledge of the continent’s unusual climate, it was hoped to push ahead with settlement of its vast, empty spaces. The Constitution granted the Commonwealth explicit power over meteorology and it wasn’t long before the new nation took action – the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology commenced operations 100 years ago on 1 January 1908. Knowing the weather is an integral part of knowing the land. But the records of this ongoing exploration are not simply lists of measurements and observations. Important too are the records of our weather-inspired dreams and obsessions. These can be found throughout the National Archives collection – in plans for a solar observatory, in programs for Antarctic research, in hopes for long-range forecasting, in concerns about atomic testing. Australia’s exploration of one of the most variable climates on earth offers a rich story of achievement and frustration. This paper will demonstrate how our continuing fascination with weather is reflected in the rich holdings of the National Archives.