Over 60 people gathered at the Hotel This for Neil's farewell lunch.

DDR Doug Gauntlett recognised Neil's important contributions to meteorology and spoke about the phases of his career as an analyst, Antarctic expeditioner, researcher and finally his management roles as ADE and DDS.

ADE Bill Downey spoke of the strong friendship that he and Neil had developed during their many years together in CMRC, ANMRC (Australian Numerical Meteorology Research Centre) and the Executive Branch. On behalf of all those who worked in the Executive Branch from 1983 to 1988, Bill expressed appreciation to Neil for the trust he placed in them and for the generous manner in which he shared his knowledge and wisdom with them.

ADS Peter Noar recalled first working with Neil in Hobart in the late 1950s and later in ANMRC. He particularly enjoyed working with Neil the past 7½ years as DDS and paid tribute to his 'wisdom and compassion'.

In response, Neil recounted ten memorable 'scenes' in his Bureau career, among them his first (successful) interview in 1950 at the Bankruptcy Court in Brisbane; studying downstairs in the Horticultural Hall, because the classrooms were full; reporting for duty at 4.00 am in winter 1957 in Hobart RO, lighting the fire, then checking Mount Wellington to see if there was any snow (kudos to the Bureau if they correctly reported snow, or the lack thereof, to the wakening Taswegians); the dark and the howling winds of Mawson; the University of Alaska in August 1967; and walking in circles, plotting charts, in the confines of the pre-computer Central Analysis Office.

Neil fondly remembered ANMRC as 'one of the best places he worked'.

At one point Neil and Barrie Hunt regularly reviewed each other's papers, exchanging jocular comments. Barrie once predicted that 'no great harm would be done to meteorology' by the publication of a particular Streten paper.

Neil acknowledged that his length of service in the one organisation is now probably regarded as 'unfashionable', and that the trend to move around more may be a good thing. He likened the DDS role to that of the US Vice-President—'you don't get to say much when the boss is around!'

Neil thanked everyone for their support and friendship, particularly DIR, Program Managers, Branch Heads and 'the 14th floor gang'. He gave particular thanks to his PA for 7½ years, Debbie Dowel, who 'always held the show together'.

Neil was presented with an original print of the Bering Sea, circa 1790.

Bureau of Meteorology