The Retoubtable George Mackey, Retd.

George retired on February 26, the last of the Bureau officers to have worked under all Directors. He was awarded the M.B.E. in 1969 for services to meteorology. George has a big, robust frame, and a hearty, outspoken personality to match it. It is unlikely that a placid retirement will be his lot . . . his first effort will be an overseas trip.

George came to the Bureau in 1927, and spent the last 22 years as Regional Director in WA. He has written a very informal outline of his activities (see below).

His successor, Bob Southern, contributed these notes on his farewell:-

George was farewelled at a bright and breezy social function at Perth Bureau. Representatives of Commonwealth Departments and State authorities supported many members of the Bureau in farewell tributes to George and his wife, Hazel.

The Director, Dr. Gibbs, spoke feelingly of George's significant contribution to Australian meteorology and on behalf of all Bureau staff presented George and Hazel with a set of four travelling cases and rugs.

Mr. Dick Kennedy (Assistant Director of Works) and Mr. Frank Edmondson (State Electricity Commission) thanked George on behalf of associated departments for his excellent consultative advice over many years. John Maher (OIC Perth Airport) expressed the appreciation of all field staff, referring particularly to George's perpetual interest in assisting the families of staff working in remote areas.

Although generally never short of a few words to say, George seemed initially stumped in reply to the many genuine expressions of thanks, but in true fashion soon warmed to his task. After all, he had anecdotes from 44 years' service to recall . . .

It was an eventful week in W.A. . . . apart from George's retirement there was a change in Government, and a State-wide celebration and dinner to mark W.A.'s "millionth citizen, with George and Mrs. Mackey among the select invitees, naturally.

Bureau of Meteorology