New weather man

By Lachlan Ellis

After more than 40 years, Ballan will have a new rainfall reader in 2022, after a volunteer finally came forward.

Merilyn Meadows has been Ballan’s official rainfall reader since 1979, providing daily readings to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) for use in its weather reports.

But not long after a Moorabool News article (19 Oct 2021) where Ms Meadows asked for someone to take up the role, a successor put their hand up.

Luke Mullane will be Ballan’s new rainfall reader and told the Moorabool News that rainfall reading was something he’d done regularly for years.

“The BOM asked me to do it, they asked if I’d be interested. Someone obviously dobbed me in,” Mr Mullane joked.

“I’ve been interested in weather since I was a little kid. I’ve been taking my own records here probably for the last 15 years, every day. I just enjoy doing it.”

Officials from the Bureau visited Mr Mullane’s property and have the rain gauge all set up and ready to go, but he won’t be the official rainfall reader for Ballan until 1 January 2022, allowing Ms Meadows to finish her 43rd and final year, as Ballan’s rainfall reader.

To read the full story – Simply click on the following link

https://issuu.com/themooraboolnews/docs/mn_2021-12-07/1

in the 7 December 2021 edition
OR
pick up a paper around your town.