Some Titbits from Dave Grainger (continued)

In the next two and a half years nothing much of note happened except the installation of the 402 MHz radiosonde replacing the 72 MHz equipment, installation of a Synchrotac anemometer at the radar site and the closure of the briefing service.

During the latter 12 months I don't think I missed one day where I didn't have at least one drink at the Post Office or the Queens. When I arrived at the 'Curry' there were seven pubs. When I left, there were only five; the Queens burnt down and one of the others handed in its licence.

In September 1966 the meteorologists at Cloncurry were Bernie Oliver and OIC Charlie Hamilton. Charlie used to quote Shakespeare when in his cups. When flight briefing moved to Mount Isa, Ken Hall became OIC at Cloncurry. Later, Charlie McIntyre was OIC. This caused a little confusion after the arrival of unrelated Observer Colin McIntyre. I was relieved at Cloncurry in January 1969 by Reg Carter who was later to become Chief Technical Instructor at Training School.

The highest level of education available at Cloncurry was only Queensland Intermediate level and my move from there came at a convenient time. I was accepted for the first formal course on the WF44 radar, which commenced in February 1969 at A'Beckett Street, Melbourne, and Laverton. The course supervisor was John MacDermott and I will always remember that one of his questions on the final paper was "how many sliprings are there in the pedestal of the WF44 radar?". Good grief; there must be enough! Would someone pinch a couple.

They waited until the final week of the course to tell us that they would carry on for another two weeks with the WF3 radar. This was about three days after I had arranged with the estate agent to vacate the rental house. It was about this time, I think, that the classification Observer (Radio) became Radio Technician.

Bureau of Meteorology