Bryan Hodge of Armstrong Creek has been awarded the Public Service Medal for over three decades of excellence, innovation and leadership at the Bureau of Meteorology.
Mr Hodge, 56, began as a radar trainee at the Bureau in 1984 before moving into engineering, where he has designed and implemented innovative science, technology and engineering solutions.
He currently serves as the Bureau’s General Manager, Observing Systems and Operations, providing outstanding leadership that has delivered unprecedented levels of performance, capability, efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Mr Hodge said the most rewarding part of his work was “taking new ideas and technology and turning it into things that benefit the Australian public”.
“If you can improve a service, make it more reliable and provide more information from it, you’re ultimately delivering benefits to the public, customers and stakeholders,” he said.
“That’s where you get the kick. Technology for technology’s sake is interesting, but when you can convert it into something that helps people make better decisions or provide better warnings, that’s really satisfying.”
Mr Hodge has also spearheaded the introduction of renewable energy into the supply mix for the Bureau’s radar sites, which has positively impacted both the organisation’s operational performance and the communities and industries it serves.
“That’s been very satisfying as well,” he said.
“The Bureau’s looking to reduce its carbon footprint, and there were opportunities there.
“We’re looking at changing a lot of our infrastructure to renewable power.”
Mr Hodge said receiving the medal was a highlight of his career.
“I was really honoured for the recognition,” he said.
“Working on innovation projects is my job, it’s what I do, and it’s tremendously satisfying.
“But it was also really humbling to be recognised for that body of work. It’s really great.”
