Allan Brunt Retires, 38 Years in 'the Met'

DIR John Zillman, who attended the farewell, thanked Allan for his many years of outstanding service to the Bureau, particularly for his contribution to the research area, where his papers were still texts on the subject.

Dr Zillman's thoughts were backed up by a message from staff of the HO Water Studies Sub-Section, which acknowledged Allan's contributions in the fields of rainfall climatology and maximisation studies which had been of considerable value to the section.

Good Wishes

Among the many other good wishes from all around Australia were the following from two of Allan's longest serving colleagues:

May I express on behalf of myself, Len Broadbridge and all staff in WA region our very best wishes for a long, happy and active retirement, concentrating on bowls, bird-watching, ballads, and if we didn't know you better, we'd add booze. May we congratulate you on your very distinguished career, extending from World War 2 to your present office. I was talking several days ago to Joe Lord, just retired as Director of the WA Geological Survey, a war-time Mobile Met. Flight colleague of yours. He said your forecasts were spot-on for the war-time landings at Wewak. Len particularly wishes to add his best wishes to you and your family and to thank you for your guidance over the years. I am glad you and I have had some years together as RDs without border problems. All the best. Bob Southern.

Strange as it might seem, it is only when a man's work is done that colleagues gather around and try to think of something reasonable to say about him. Sometimes this is a difficult job but with the right man to talk about it's not so difficult. Having worked with you Allan—not for you (perhaps a different story) for the greater part of our 30 years association, I think I speak for all other colleagues when labelling you as "Mr Nice Guy" both professionally and socially. Of course all RDs are supposed to possess this quality, but I can only vouch for this as applying to RD SA and RD QLD. Looking back to the war years a life-time soon flits by, but it must be very rewarding to you to know that your efforts will long be remembered and your personal contributions in the research field will continue to be used by future generations of meteorologists and workers in the field of applied meteorology. Old-timers in the Qld Regional Office still think of 'Brunty' as part of the establishment and we will only be too happy to take you on again up here providing I am still the boss and that you bring your "blue Submarine" with you. I understand your interest in tropical cyclones has changed as exemplified by your proposed anti-cyclonic tour of Australia. Perhaps you did this intentionally as you really wanted to make sure of reaching the most important state before any breakdowns. With that hope, we in Queensland look forward to seeing you and Dorothy soon and wish you a very rewarding retirement for a life-time job well-done. Bring $2 for a beer . . . Ray Wilkie.

Bureau of Meteorology