Foreword (continued)

He was awarded his BA degree in 1949 with Honours in History and distinctions in English Language and Literature. Having gained his BA, Keith embarked on post-graduate historical research which led to the award of the degree of MA in 1958.

After graduation at the end of 1949, Keith was appointed Lecturer in History at Wagga Wagga Teachers College and has remained in that area of New South Wales ever since. As his career progressed he was promoted to Head of Department and Vice-Principal of the Teachers College. When the College was incorporated into the Riverina College of Advanced Education (now Charles Sturt University—Riverina) he joined the staff of that institution and was soon promoted to Dean, School of Business and Liberal Studies. He acted as Principal of the College for several months before retiring in 1976.

Since retiring Keith has continued his historical research and has seen the publication of 13 monographs about the Riverina Region. He was involved in the formation in 1962 of the Wagga Wagga and District Historical Society, and in the foundation of the Institute of Riverina Studies in 1964.

In 1974, Keith was awarded the British Empire Medal for service to education and local history. Earlier this year he was awarded the Degree of Doctorate (honoris causa) of the Charles Sturt University in recognition of his contribution to the work of that institution, particularly for his role in establishing the University Archives.

In 1972, Keith and his family purchased farming and grazing properties between Wagga Wagga and Holbrook which they operated until 1988 when he and Vera moved to an eight hectare hobby farm on the outskirts of the city of Wagga Wagga, where they now live.

The publication of this account of Keith's four years in the RAAF Meteorological Service from January 1942 to January 1946 has been facilitated by the editorial work of Ian Forrest.

W. J. Gibbs

Melbourne
June 1995

Bureau of Meteorology