The von Neumayer legacy in Australian meteorology

Abstract

Georg von Neumayer established the first formal program to take meteorological observations in Melbourne in 1858 at the Flagstaff Hill Observatory. In doing this he set the platform for a long-term climate record of Melbourne of immeasurable value to the city of Melbourne and the nation. He also helped set in train an ever expanding program of weather recording in Victoria, and around the country. This program of observing the weather then evolved into the sophisticated system which exists today. Today’s weather observation program underpins the modern weather forecasting service, which the nation depends on so much for short and longer term activities.