As we head into the festive season, International Volunteer Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of volunteers who selflessly dedicate their time, skills and other resources to the service of the community.

There are more than 5000 rainfall observers, 2000 storm spotters, 300 river height observers and more than 70 ships in the Australian Voluntary Observing Fleet.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment, Senator Simon Birmingham today joined the Bureau of Meteorology in saying thank you to the thousands of Australians who volunteer to provide on the ground environmental intelligence to support the Bureau’s weather forecasting and warning services.

“The Bureau’s observations network gathers a broad range of real-time data including rainfall, river height, temperature, wind-speed and humidity in order to document our climate and ultimately forecast the conditions ahead, both short and long-term,” Senator Birmingham
said.

“The Bureau’s vast network of meteorological equipment is complemented by thousands of volunteers, including rainfall and river-height observers, storm-spotters and volunteers at sea who collect valuable information to provide a more accurate picture of Australia’s weather and climate.

“On International Volunteer Day, I proudly join the Bureau of Meteorology in acknowledging and thanking the thousands of volunteers who enable the Bureau to deliver environmental intelligence for the safety, sustainability, well-being and prosperity of the community,” he said.

The Bureau maintains the official climate record for Australia, and has collected weather, climate and water data since 1908, resulting in more than 100 years of records.

Media contact: Caitlin Keage – 0427 729 987