Harold is a very fit 60 and few credit he is really as old as that. He is an active walker and loves climbing mountains. It is his proud boast that he went out with a credit on his sick leave card of more than 60 weeks on full pay and 62 weeks on half pay. As RDTAS he didn't miss a day's work—but that's Tasmania's salubrious climate for you! Naturally won't want to give up work for a long time yet and he intends return to education in N.S.W., teaching English to migrants. An organist for over 40 years, he hopes also to further his proficiency in music-making on what he calls the "king of instruments".

Harold and Cora have two sons, but it looks as though the Met. tradition will not be carried on. This was thought of, but Mrs. B. stepped in and declared firmly, "One meteorologist in the family is enough, thank you!"

In his time Harold addressed numerous clubs (Rotary, Lions, Soroptimists, Church groups) on weather topics. He found a good way to get a last laugh was to adapt the "Pearly Gate" theme to fit the poor weatherman. (He did it at his farewell speech in Melbourne). Only under strong pressure from PRO would he submit "such gross doggerel" for inclusion in this profile.

"The weatherman stood at the Pearly Gates; his face was drawn and old.
He meekly sought admission to the comforts of the fold.
'What have YOU done', St. Peter asked, 'that you should enter here?'
'I've been a weatherman, sir', he said, 'on earth for many a year'.
St. Peter seemed impressed. He'd heard what weathermen endure,
And looking at this new arrival made him doubly sure.
The gates swung open wide as kind St. Peter rang the bell
'Come in', he said, 'and take a harp. You've HAD your share of hell!' "

Bureau of Meteorology