In August 1939 (just before the declaration of war with Germany), the Australian Branch of the British Institute of Physics wrote to Prime Minister Menzies about mobilising the country's physics resources. T.H. Laby, the inaugural president, and A.D. Ross, the secretary, suggested that a committee of physicists be established to advise the Government in the coming war.

But what could the physicists actually do? There were few specific suggestions and a meeting between Laby, Ross, and members of the Departments of Supply and Defence brought a 'don't call us, we'll call you' type of response. Laby, a temperamental man, bided his time grumpily, critical of the Government's lack of foresight.