 Australian entomologist Leslie John William Newman of the Western Australian Department of Agriculture noticed Clark 's enthusiasm for natural history , and on probation , took Clark in as the assistant to the entomologist in 1919 . In 1920 , Clark 's position in the Department of Agriculture was confirmed ; due to this , Clark and his family moved to Perth . He began publishing his first papers discussing the history of entomology in Western Australia in 1921 , and also basic articles about ants , insect pests in Australian forests and myrmecophilous beetles . Three years after his articles were first published , Clark was promoted to assistant @-@ entomologist . Scientists attending the 1926 Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science suggested that Clark should apply for a position as " entomologist " at the National Museum of Victoria , in which he was appointed in late 1926 and began working there in 1927 . After working for the museum , he found museum work " not to his liking " and tried to apply for the post of " economic entomologist " in New Guinea , which at the time was an Australian administered @-@ territory . However , this was unsuccessful for Clark , who would remain at the National Museum of Victoria for nearly 20 years . In 1933 , Clark sold 8 @,@ 000 ant specimens he collected to the museum for about £ 200 . 
