Weather and climate

Find out how the government has studied weather and climate in Australia and what techniques have been proposed to control extreme weather events.

Topics

A topic is a collection of records with interpretation and inquiry questions. Each topic is aligned to the Australian Curriculum and focuses on an aspect of Australian history.

Topic

The impact of colonial settlement on the environment

The animals and farming practices that Europeans brought to Australia, as well as industry and mining, have had a significant impact on the environment.

Records

Each record focuses on a single item from the National Archives' collection. Some records contain extra information to help you interpret them.

Record

Antarctic expedition – sailing orders for Douglas Mawson from Prime Minister Stanley Bruce

These secret notes were given to Sir Douglas Mawson providing sailing orders from Prime Minister Bruce in 1929.
Record

Cloud seeding operation off the coast of Sydney

This photo shows two Royal Australian Air Force planes flying above the clouds during a cloud-seeding operation over the Pacific Ocean.
Record

Cyclone Tracy – excerpt from ABC documentary The Darwin Story

This is an excerpt from the ABC television documentary on Cyclone Tracy.
Record

Habitability map of Australia

This is a black-and-white map of Australia showing areas of 'habitability', based on the quality of agricultural or pastoral land.
Record

Impact of the drought on Central Australia

Extract from a newspaper article on rain in Central Australia.
Record

Letter to Prime Minister Gorton in relation to cloud seeding for drought management

This is a letter to Prime Minister Gorton regarding cloud seeding to increase rainfall in drought.
Record

Letter to Prime Minister John Curtin from Enid Lyons about a Day of Prayer for rain

This letter was sent on 12 July 1944 to Prime Minister John Curtin, requesting consideration for a Day of Prayer for rain during drought.
Record

Letter to Prime Minister John Curtin requesting a day of thanksgiving for rain

This is a letter written to Prime Minister John Curtin requesting a day of thanksgiving for rain.

Weather and climate

Topics

The impact of colonial settlement on the environment

Records

Antarctic expedition – sailing orders for Douglas Mawson from Prime Minister Stanley Bruce

Cloud seeding operation off the coast of Sydney

Cyclone Tracy – excerpt from ABC documentary The Darwin Story

Habitability map of Australia

Impact of the drought on Central Australia

Letter to Prime Minister Gorton in relation to cloud seeding for drought management

Letter to Prime Minister John Curtin from Enid Lyons about a Day of Prayer for rain

Letter to Prime Minister John Curtin requesting a day of thanksgiving for rain

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