The first Western Australian Government Astronomer was William Ernest Cooke, who was appointed in 1896.
[1] The Perth Observatory became the base for the Western Australia Government Astronomer on completion of the new building in October 1897.
[4] The idea of an observatory for Perth was first introduced by Premier John Forrest in 1891, but failed to obtain financial backing.
[2] Forrest asked the Government Astronomer of South Australia, Sir Charles Todd for advice on an observatory.
Todd sent specifications for instruments and plans for buildings, based on the Adelaide Observatory and recommended his own Assistant Astronomer, Mr. W.E.