My Head in the Clouds: The Life and Writings of an Australian Weatherman. Robert L Southern, 2002, ISBN 0-9580-2950-4, R L Southern, 29 Broadbent Loop, Leeming, Western Australia 6149, 184pp A$25.

“Treat life as an adventure and a gift beyond belief. It is too short not to make the most of it. Take a punt into the unknown. Circumstances will usually work in your favour.”

In those words Robert Southern enshrined his philosophy of life. In this delightful memoir he shows how he applied that philosophy to his own life which, sadly,  ended in January 2003. Bob, as he preferred to be known, has written a lively conspectus of his varied activities and interests, infusing each with his own particular brand of enthusiasm and humour.  He talks about Christianity (of enduring importance), about cricket (a lifelong interest),  atomic bomb tests, travel, writing and, most engagingly, of his own life as a weatherman, both nationally and internationally. Naturally, his special expertise in tropical cyclone meteorology and the strategies for combating these storms  takes pride of place in his distinguished career.

Whether it was his genial outgoing nature, or his dedication and zest for whatever he undertook, Bob found himself entrusted with heavy responsibilities early in his career. Before reaching 30 he was assigned as the meteorologist for the UK atomic tests in 1956/7, first on HMS Narvik in the Monte Bello Islands and later at Maralinga in South Australia. Forecasts of the wind structure to 50,000 feet were needed to predict fallout patterns and contamination levels; effectively the meteorological conditions determined whether the tests could go ahead. Away from his young family for long periods, it was a mentally and physically demanding time.

In 1962 he became the first Regional Director of the Bureau of Meteorology in Darwin. There, as a practicing Christian, he had another ambition. He was determined  to see the creation of a new Anglican Diocese for the Northern Territory,  with its own bishop in Darwin. That he achieved this dream was something of which he was rightly proud.

Once, returning from Perth to Darwin, Bob with  wife Ruth and four children had the dramatic experience of sailing through the eye of  Severe Tropical Cyclone Glynis. It was a further step in cementing his interest in tropical cyclones. But, as he wrote ‘The weather can be fun as well, when you know how to take it seriously!’

Although he left Darwin in 1971 to become Regional Director in Perth, Bob tells the poignant story of the Christmas Day 1974 destruction of Darwin by Cyclone Tracy, a tragedy with many lessons for the future. He recounts in graphic prose the hour by hour dramatic events of an unforgettable night when winds of 250 km/hr destroyed or left uninhabitable 85 percent of the city.

To celebrate the United States Bicentennial in 1976 the Australian Government awarded 30 fellowships for citizens to study in each other’s countries. Of 1600 Australian applicants, 16 succeeded; Bob was one. He and Ruth spent 45 days visiting 12 states, Bob lecturing  on tropical cyclones. It was, he wrote, the experience of a lifetime, exceedingly busy but entirely productive.

 His chapter  ‘Culture Shock” and his subsequent Asian adventures represent, I believe,  the climax of Bob’s career. He was the ideal person to venture into these lands, enjoying new challenges and making new friends wherever he went. He writes with verve of how he and his family reacted to new sights and sounds, trying often  to help the less fortunate. That he made an enduring contribution to the security of human life in those cyclone-prone areas is incontestable. His Rotary project in Bangladesh is credited with  saving  thousands of lives. He received a  Certificate of Honour endorsed “Awarded to R L (Bob) Southern, MBE, for his outstanding contribution to humanity through his work with the Bangladesh Cyclone Education Project 1988 to 1998.” There can be no better tribute to him..

In his final chapter he recounts what he calls ‘some coincidences’. I should  like to end this review with one that he would recall. In 1989 we toured  New Zealand together and, on the spur of the moment, in Wellington we decided to visit the  Meteorological Service. Introducing ourselves, we asked the  young forecaster his name – “Simmers” he replied. Bob and I exchanged looks,  both knowing well Ritchie Simmers, a former director of the service. Yes, it was his son.

The standard of production and printing of this privately produced book is high. It is fully illustrated in both colour and black and white.

I have but one complaint. It is too short!

Peter Rogers spent most of his professional career in the Secretariat of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) where, from 1967 to 1984, he was principally responsible for the WMO Tropical Cyclone Program. He is now based in Bangkok and can be contacted at peterrogers93@yahoo.com