NORTH-EAST CORNER OF DRUMMOND AND VICTORIA STREETS
The Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology began operations on 1 January 1908, separating meteorological from astronomical functions, which had been the practice in colonial observatories.
The central office was at 'Frosterley' in Melbourne and there were divisional offices in the other states.
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| Frosterley, present day. (Image: Bronwyn Fensham) |
'Frosterley' is a double storey late Victorian town house liberally endowed with iron lace verandah brackets, balustraded parapets, urns and finials typical of the free classical, or 'Boom', style. Situated on the north east corner of Drummond and Victoria streets it was constructed in 1890 as medical consulting rooms for Dr William Snowball. It functioned as a boarding residence for students of University High School before the lease was transferred in 1907 to the newly formed Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology. The Bureau remained at this address until 1974, altering and extending the property.
The accommodations included a 'weather room', 'statistical room' and general offices. The pilot weather balloons were launched: "from a small platform on the roof of the Bureau which was reached by ascending a spiral staircase from outside the window half way up the main staircase... You climbed out through this window carrying a pilot balloon theodolite and a hydrogen filled balloon. The balloon was filled from a cylinder of hydrogen… behind [a] desk [in one of the offices]. Fortunately there were no smokers in that room, otherwise it might have been dangerous… The theodolite was oriented with respect to the flagstaff on top of Government House tower…"
After moving to new premises in Lonsdale Street, the Bureau leased 'Frosterley' to other government departments. The building was sold in the 1990s and converted to apartments.