42.4 degrees (108.3 F) and thousands in Melbourne Australia seek relief in pools and malls
The Age (Melbourne) -- January 23, 2006
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AS THE mercury climbed past 40 degrees for the second successive day, thousands of sweltering Victorians turned to the air-conditioned sanctuary of cinemas, shopping malls and other venues.
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Melbourne's cinema complexes reported a boom in trading, as did suburban shopping centres. Retailers reported a rush on air-conditioners, fans and evaporative coolers.
On a day when the Australian Open invoked its extreme heat policy, ruling out tennis matches on outside courts and closing roofs on Rod Laver and Vodaphone arenas, many people sought any means possible to cool off amid the soaring temperatures.
At the Aquarena Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Doncaster, administration director Fiona Miller said: "There's not that much swimming space but the crowd has been well behaved."
The swim centre had called in extra staff to cope with more than double the usual number of Sunday patrons. More than 3200 turned up yesterday to escape the heat.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the heat might have frayed tempers at Oak Park Aquatic Centre in Melbourne's north on Saturday, when about 30 youths had reportedly assaulted staff.
In Melbourne yesterday the temperature peaked at 42.4 degrees at 3.43pm.
Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Richard Carlyon said the hottest January temperature in recent years was 44.1 degrees on January 25, 2003.
Attendance was low at Melbourne Zoo, where communications manager Judith Henke said some animals were given ice blocks with treats including fish or fruit and vegetables. Sprinklers attached to trees were lightly spraying some animals. Otters, tigers, bears, seals, penguins, elephants and other animals took to the pools in their enclosures.
In the north-east of the state, about 1500 riders were to have taken part in the Audax Classic bicycle race, from Bright to as far as Falls Creek and return. But Stephen Chambers, 54, national treasurer of the race, said he was one of many riders who pulled out because of the heat.
"I did it last year and finished but the heat got to me," he said. "I made a decision I didn't want to do that today."
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