A sunny future for female forecasters
07/03/2016
A really 'cool change' is sweeping through the Bureau of Meteorology, with almost 50 percent of graduate meteorologists now women, compared to just 21 percent in the late 1980s and 90s.
In the past three years, 24 women out of 49 students have successfully completed the nationally accredited Graduate Diploma in Meteorology, held at the Bureau's Melbourne Training Centre.
Over the past 16 years, 94 women have graduated with the Diploma (34 percent of the students).
Between 1988 and 1999 just 30 out of 137 course participants were female (21 percent).
The Bureau's Regional Director for Victoria, Tarini Casinader, said she is pleased to see a growing number of young women choosing meteorology as a career.
"The idea of science being just for men is changing rapidly. Forecasting is a mentally stimulating and really rewarding career and it's great to see so many young women gravitating towards it. It's also good for the Bureau as we want a diverse workforce which truly reflects society," she said.
Overall, women now account for almost 30 percent of all staff working at the Bureau of Meteorology, including meteorologists, climatologists, hydrologists, senior executives and three Deputy Directors.
Ms Casinader, who is the Bureau's first female Regional Director, said: "There is an increasing appreciation of the value of having women in the Bureau. Women bring different perspectives and a real diversity of skills.
"I think it's great that we have more senior women inside the organisation who can act as role models to younger women looking for encouragement and advice, and while I might be the first female Regional Director in the Bureau, I have no intention of being the last.'
Photo Opportunity:
What: Regional Director, Tarini Casinader with meteorologist Beren Bradshaw and current meteorology students Gemma Lloyd and Jessica Wilks
Where: Bureau of Meteorology, Victorian Regional Office, 1010 Latrobe street, Docklands
When: Monday, March 7, 3.00pm
Who: To arrange interviews and confirm attendance at photo opportunity, please contact Melody Horrill, Media and Communications Manager, Victoria (03 96694984).
