Pressure's On for New NCC Head [Mary Voice]

Mary, who was appointed Superintendent National Climate Centre (STCC) in May this year, following Bill Kininmonth's retirement in January, admits to 'an early fascination with science, the outdoors and Antarctica'. The choice of meteorology as a career path was a natural progression and Mary says she is 'just as enthusiastic now' as she was on her very first day.

Mary has already set some tough challenges. Goals such as 'establishing NCC as a leader in services development; delivery of a climate monitoring and prediction service to suit Australia's needs; and the cultivation of national and international partnerships' are tasks which will take a mountain of personal effort, combined with strong team support, to achieve. She sees 'coordination, and identifying ways to do things more easily and efficiently' as one of the keys.

Information Explosion

More immediate and specific aims include trying to establish NCC's role in climate variability and its application by attracting funding from rural research and development organisations and achieving a more coordinated Bureau-wide approach to climate monitoring systems for data.

Another project involves helping the media, policy makers and influential communicators understand the 'explosion of information' so they can pass the message on. One of Mary's concerns is the volume of seasonal forecast information available to Australians on the Internet, much of which is totally untested for applicability to Australian conditions.

Despite her workload, and an in-tray which seems to do its best to keep her from her 'real work', Mary tries to find time for some occasional light relief. A quote at the foot of her Email—'engage in random acts of kindness and senseless beauty'—sums up her outlook.

In keeping with her philosophy of 'maintaining a balance', Mary made time to assist with preparations (she chaired the Committee) for the 1997 HO Christmas party, resulting in what has generally been acknowledged as the best ever.

Away from the office, Mary is a long-term and very active member of Toastmasters (she joined to overcome a 'terror' of public speaking). She participates in regular Tai Chi sessions and, when there's time, heads off to her beachside hideaway at Apollo Bay, a couple of hours southwest of Melbourne, where walks on the beach with family, friends and golden labrador, Chloe (a much-loved guide dog dropout), also help her to unwind.

Bureau of Meteorology