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The Melbourne Frosterley Club is open to retired and long-standing members of Bureau of Meteorology staff, including members of the former RAAF Meteorological Service. The Club exists to:
Retain and strengthen social links between its members
Serve as a link between the Bureau past and Bureau present
Assist in preserving the written and oral history of the Bureau.
The Melbourne Club usually holds a luncheon meeting on the fourth Thursday of each month at a venue notified by newsletter or through this Website. Sometimes there is a guest speaker however often friendly chatter is the order of the day. The Club arranges other functions as suggested by members. The Director of Meteorology is Patron of the Club. The Bureau of Meteorology usually invites members to World Meteorological Day, after which we hold our Annual General Meeting. Frosterley Clubs operate regular meetings in New South Wales and South Australia and we are all in regular contact, exchanging newsletters. Any current or ex Bureau staff are welcome at club functions, either as regular or casual attendees. We are aware of other groups of ex-Bureau staff who meet for social or special interest purposes. There are active Frosterley clubs in NSW and SA, those in WA and QLD no longer meeting. Newsletters are shared between groups. Needless to say any former BoM members is usually welcome at the regular luncheons.
HISTORY
During the mid 1960s, Dr Bill Gibbs, then Director of Meteorology, invited retired officers of the Bureau to Christmas lunch where they were able to meet former colleagues and talk about "the old days", and their subsequent personal interests. The Bureau became the RAAF Meteorological Service for the duration of the Second World War and quite a few of those present at these Christmas lunches had served with the RAAF Meteorological Service. During the mid 1970s Dr Gibbs suggested that a club be formed.
The late Steve Lloyd, a former senior Head office staff member suggested that the club be called "Frosterley" to honour the building at Number 2 Drummond Street, Carlton that had served as the Bureau's Head office from the Bureau's formation in 1908 until 1974. Before Federation, Frosterley had been the private residence of Dr Snowball. A picture of Frosterley appears at the top of this page.
COMMONWEALTH METEOROLOGICAL BUREAU ROLL OF HONOUR : 1914-1918
The Bureau had a large Roll of Honour, to remember those members of staff who served during the 1st World War. It hung on the 1st floor of the Frosterley building.
The Roll of Honour remembered:
AFFLECK, A.
BROPHY, J.H.
CAMM, H.E.
CHENU, F.A.
CUNNINGHAM, J.
FARROW, A.
FORBES, E.L.
GIBSON, R.R.
GREHAN, C.F.
LITTLEJOHNS, R.W.
McGRATH, C.
MULLETT, L.H.
NANCE, J.H.
RUSSELL, A.
STACK, S.H
TIMCKE, E.W.
TULLOCH, A.C.
WICKS, C.W.B..
From the beginning, the Frosterley Clubs have aimed at being a social fellowship embracing people in all areas of the Bureau, each of whom plays an important part in providing a unique service to the nation.
The Frosterley Club is a vehicle of continuity in the history of the Bureau. If you wish to learn more about Frosterley Clubs or to be on the email newsletter list, email me at john.halford@gmail.com .
I am also in contact with the Frosterley Groups in South Australia and New South Wales.
See also https://www.facebook.com/groups/1008662393031389/
BOM (Friends of) Private group
Contact me if you need an invite
Currently John Halford john.halford@gmail.com is maintaining this site
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