I applied to become a BoM weather observer in 1990. After nine months at their Melbourne training annex, I was posted to WA where I worked mostly in the Kimberley towns of Broome and Halls Creek, but also the Pilbara town Exmouth. One of my motivations in applying to become a weather observer was the realisation that this would give me opportunities to experience some very special places, such as Macquarie Island in the Southern Ocean, Willis Island in the Coral Sea and, of course, Lord Howe Island. I managed to get to all three, but Lord Howe is probably the one I enjoyed the most as I was able to share this experience with my partner, Sue Ferrari and dog Buddy, whereas the other two didn’t accommodate families.
I only just got to Lord Howe as the BoM was in the process of automating their field stations. The automatic balloon launcher (autosonde) was installed whilst we were on the Island and, when this became operational in 2011, we had to leave. I was not replaced so the office then became a single observer operation. Unfortunately, this also meant we only had 18 months on the Island – way too short!
We loved our time on Lord Howe, the relaxed lifestyle, stunning beauty, amazing wildlife and friendly community. We lived in one of the older met houses above Stevens Reserve. The other Met houses were occupied by young families mostly employed by the Island board and every month or so we would all enjoy a street party which was great fun.
I rode my bike to the Met office even when strong easterlies made the airstrip stage a challenge. The mountain views were always spectacular, often capped with lovely lenticular clouds. Then finally, coming around the bend behind Blinky’s, I would sometimes be welcomed by azure kingfishers! I often had to pinch myself – is this place paradise or what?
My first shift at the Met office was a bit stressful as the weather was extreme and changeable. I seem to remember the Dash 8 circling, waiting for a break in the low cloud to land but eventually giving up and returning to Sydney. I did enjoy watching those planes land when there was a strong cross wind, coming in at an angle before straightening at the very last moment before touchdown. There was usually an audience watching.
Sue enjoyed volunteering in the museum, baking cakes for some of the Island restaurants/cafes and entertaining the seemingly endless stream of visiting friends and family. We were never again so popular with visitors!
We were very grateful for being able to bring our dog Buddy. However, he did shame us early on when he pee-ed on the Shick’s teenage girl’s clothes which were neatly left on the lawn in front of the boat shed whilst they were out on the lagoon sailing. I also enjoyed sailing my Hobie trimaran mostly on the lagoon and even venturing outside sometimes although I never worked up enough courage to circumnavigate the Island.
We both enjoyed the great snorkelling, reef exploring and me, the diving. The marine environment is truly world class and worth the protection it has. Bushwalking had always been something we both loved doing and Lord Howe has lots of great walks to choose from. Whether it’s a stroll along lagoon beach or a trek up onto Mt Gower, we did them all and many times. I was fortunate to be invited sometimes to accompany Ray Shick fishing, usually at Rocky Run. I enjoyed the fishing but more so the many interesting and often funny stories Ray had to tell about his Island life. It was also a joy to see his wife, Judy’s smiling face when she came to clean the Met office. Recently Sue and I returned to Lord Howe for just two weeks, but it felt like coming home. The first person we saw after exiting the plane was Gower Wilson refuelling the aircraft. This was the very man who home-delivered fresh milk from his cows all those years ago. It was interesting and pleasing to observe woodhens now flourishing after the rodent eradication program was so successful.
I am now retired and living in another special place called Mallacoota but I will always think of Lord Howe Island as that really special place I experienced whilst working as a BoM weather observer.