Riders On The Storm The Art Of Chasing Gippsland’s Weather Words by Anita Butterworth
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Photos supplied by Gippsland Storm Chasers
You’d be forgiven for thinking that following Gippsland’s weather would be a pretty niche pastime. But tell that to the 12,000 enthusiasts who are part of the wider Gippsland storm chasing community. Weather enthusiast Robert Bonfield has been steering Gippsland Storm Chasers for the past five years – a group dedicated to following, documenting and discussing the region’s weather.
“It’s the power. It’s … it’s nature at its angriest and it’s just so unpredictable, but predictable, if that makes sense. You see something that only happens once. Every lightning strike is individual. It’s a once in a lifetime event and if you can catch that and share that with people and they get to witness something pretty special.” But don’t you have to be a little, ahem, nutty to chase storms?
“It’s a very inclusive and community-focused weather group that likes to have a lot of fun,” he explains.
“Of course, we are. We have to be. Who in their right mind goes taking photos in a thunderstorm?!”
Gippsland Storm Chasers was created in 2011 by Troy Longson and Margaret Forrester, who channelled their love for the weather into a Facebook group. It’s now run by a core group of weather devotees who keep the thousands of group members up to date on Gippsland’s weather happenings. And, of course, they chase storms.
By day the Gippsland Storm Chasers team works across the region in a variety of fields from call centre operators to stay at home mums. But once the weather hits, it’s all hands-on deck to storm chase and keep the community informed.
Robert Bonfield
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