Before his retirement George Mackey (longtime Deputy Director, WA) sent me an unsolicited note giving his assessment of the performance of all of the Directors of Meteorology under whom he had served, prior to my appointment. They were H. A. Hunt (the first Commonwealth Meteorologist), W. S. Watt, H. N. Warren, E. W. Timcke and L. J. Dwyer. George gave top marks to H. N. Warren, thought Hunt and Timcke were capable Directors and considered Watt somewhat ineffectual. In assessing Len Dwyer's performance George found it difficult to overlook Len's abrasiveness and lack of restraint.

I did not know Hunt or Watt but generally agreed with George's assessments of Warren and Timcke. But I believe that George might have overlooked Len Dwyer's irascibility and given credit to his vision, initiative and determination which were crucial in achieving major improvements in instruments and observations, international meteorology and public awareness of the importance of meteorology. Probably, most importantly, George might have emphasised Len's ability in establishing contacts with influential people in universities, the CSIRO, Government Departments and other bodies.

I appreciate that Len Dwyer's forthright and sometimes colourful language may have irritated George and other members of the Bureau's staff, but I cannot recall that George, or any other member of staff, were ever uncooperative or publicly critical of Len's performance.

Warren, Timcke and Dwyer provided a springboard for further development of the Bureau during my term as Director of Meteorology from 1962 to 1978. I continued as acting Director of Meteorology after Len's death and in due course received a telephone call from Mr W. A. McLaren, Secretary of the Department of the Interior, asking if I was interested in filling the position permanently. Having almost 23 years service in the Bureau and having acted in the position on a number of occasions I had no hesitation in confirming my interest.

Bureau of Meteorology