Another of Keith's major concerns has been closer to home - the computerisation of the comms. centre, through a computer-operated switching system. Originally the Bureau had its own system on the drawing board, then was involved with a PMG proposal that grouped the Met. Bureau with DCA and Department of Health. From there, the PMG moved on to the concept of CUDN (the Common User Data Network) for which Health and TAA are already customers, while the Bureau is awaiting a new price for joining. In the meantime, LICs (line interface computers) are being operated in the computer centre as an interim step.

Most of Keith's time as STEB (the five years before December 1975) has been spent on communications, although on the instrumentation side he sees one of the big growth areas as the small automatic weather station with direct telex hookup. Development of this sort of AWS-telex interface is believed to be a first in Australia, and possibly in the world.

One machine is under test at South Channel Island in Port Phillip Bay, while three or four others are on the way for installation, with a total of 50 likely to be acquired over the next four years. The stations cost $15,000 each, but hold out the promise of big savings in communications bills and observers' allowances.

With the emphasis these days on machinery, Keith nominates the Japanese geostationarv satellite (GMS) as another forthcoming major event for the bureau and his branch. The GMS is scheduled to be launched about the middle of next year.

Keith's interests have always centred on his work associations, though he says he would like to get back to doing bit of sailing again. Before taking over as ADF, Keith was an engineer 5 as STEB (1971–75) and an engineer 4 since 1968. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers (Australia).

Bureau of Meteorology