P004714 revised AU-VU:EOAS Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation

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 English AACR2 Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules Person created 2006-09-12 human Annette Alafaci updated 2019-12-13 human https://www.eoas.info/biogs/P004714b.htm person Whitaker Richard Northcroft AACR2 15 July 1947 Meteorologist Science educator Richard Whitaker has played a key role in meteorological research and in its promotion and teaching. He joined the Bureau of Meteorology in 1971 and retired in 2002 at the level of New South Wales Manger of Special Services. After leaving the Bureau Whitaker set up his own consultancy business called "Weathersmart Meteorological Services". He has also lectured widely to many bodies including the armed services, Apex, Rotary, Kiwanis, yacht clubs, aviation groups, rural industries and the Workers' Education Authority. Whitaker's passion for all things meteorological has led him to a successful career in the science communication and the media industry. He works on The Weather Channel's "This is Australia" program and on Vega FM Sydney radio as "The Weatherman" and has written many technical and lay publications including Australia's Natural Disasters - book about wild weather, earthquakes, droughts and bushfires.

After two years of national service, Richard Northcroft Whitaker, or Dick as he is commonly known, joined the Bureau of Meteorology. He first worked in forecasting and warnings where he interpreted satellite photographs, analysed numerical prognostic models and compiled public weather/aviation forecasts. In 1981 Whitaker was appointed Officer in Charge of the Facilities and Information Section where he provided government/private clients information and advice on climatology, rainfall intensities, insurance, instrumentation, legal work and student projects.

In 1984 he became Senior Forecaster at the Sydney Regional Forecasting Centre and started developing an interest in promoting meteorology to the general public. As New South Wales Manager of the Special Services Unit (1992-2002)Whitaker initiated the development of precipitation charts now used throughout print and electronic media, advanced print and electronic media presentations, display of satellite photograph on SBS Television and development of the "Farmweather" service, now a national product for delivery of weather forecast information to Australia's rural industries.

Edited from a biography prepared by Dick Whitaker, 2006

1968 1968 Education - Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)), Monash University, Victoria 1969 1971 Career position - National Service with the Royal Australian Regiment 1971 1971 Education - Diploma in Meteorology, Bureau of Meteorology Training School, Melbourne 1971 2002 Career position - Joined the Bureau of Meteorology 1981 1984 Career position - Officer in Charge of the Facilities and Information Section (now known as Climate and Consultancy Section) 1984 1984 Award - Australia Day Achievement Award received 1984 1992 Career position - Senior Forecaster with the Sydney Regional Forecasting Centre 1992 2002 Career position - NSW Manager of the Special Services Unit 2002 Career position - Weathersmart Meteorological Services established Whitaker, Richard (1947-)

Trove

 'Whitaker, Richard Northcroft', in Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation, Centre for Transformative Innovation, Swinburne University of Technology Whitaker, Richard Northcroft Swinburne University of Technology, Centre for Transformative Innovation Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation Resource: Richard Whitaker: 'WeatherSmart' Tsun, Angela Richard Whitaker: 'WeatherSmart'