The Bureau is undergoing a generational change with a number of new occupants in senior positions. The challenge is to preserve the best of the past, while accommodating the initiatives and energy of the future.

Geoff is confident of an increasing ability of the Bureau field offices to deliver services. The infrastructure needed to support them is now becoming more sophisticated and will improve further.

There will be emphasis on services for the marine community.

Geoff expects more traditional manual tasks will eventually be automated, but believes this will produce better services and science. People will remain the primary focus of service provision.

With the settlement between the ACCC and the Bureau in place, and the Government response to the Slatyer II report imminent, Geoff expects that the Bureau will need to enhance its cost recovery activities, extend and improve services, and do so in a way that doesn't lead to further disputes.

A key challenge for the future remains to improve the skills of all staff to meet, and respond effectively to, the pressures for change.

Family and Sporting Life

Wife Narelle and teenage children David (15) and Sonya (17) occupy much of Geoff's spare time. The family are waiting to see what impact the new position will have on his recreational time.

Former Darwin colleagues have waxed lyrical about Geoff's hand/eye coordination, although one was unkind enough to suggest that 'the knee joints were giving out'. But Geoff, despite 'dicky knees', is still competitive in singles in the Melbourne pennant tennis competition. He looks forward to his matches against more experienced (older) opponents! Geoff also enjoys squash, sailing, camping and fishing, but there is now less time to Indulge these pastimes.

Bureau of Meteorology