The weekend's downpour across Victoria was in stark contrast to the dry months we have become accustomed to in the past decade.

Melbourne in particular felt the wrath of Mother Nature in all her fury. The storms caused horse races, football games and trains to be cancelled. Countless buildings were flooded and evacuated and streets in the CBD looked

more like rivers than thoroughfares, with motorists struggling to find a way out of the torrents. Hailstones as big as tennis balls dented roofs, cars and smashed windows.

The damage bill is likely to run into the millions of dollars.

Ballarat was, thankfully, spared a similar fury, and we were instead able to enjoy the sound of the rain falling on our rooftops and picture it flowing into our catchments.

We hope this rain sets the scene for a wetter autumn and winter season than we have had in some time.

Welcome as it was, the rain did have an effect on numbers at the Begonia Festival, which is a pity, given that this would generally be one of our busiest weekends for visitors.

Those who did visit the festival were hopefully able to appreciate our indoor attractions if the rain hampered their outdoor enjoyment.

And while it was wet here, our rain paled in comparison to what Queenslanders are experiencing. Flood waters have left communities isolated up there for what could be weeks.

Mother Nature can be as unpredictable as she is predictable.

On this occasion, Ballarat can be thankful she spared us the fury other parts of the country have seen.

WEATHER DIDN'T DETER OUR AFL FOOTY FANS

THE weather didn't deter a large crowd attending the AFL practice match at Eureka Stadium on Saturday between North Melbourne and Hawthorn.

The fact that 5000 people showed up on a less-than-pleasant day for football showed we are a city hungry for top-level sporting action.

Major surface works in the past 12 months have brought the Eureka Stadium playing surface up to AFL standard.

The weekend's game proved the oval has what it takes to host elite football.

We hope it will not be too long before we see an AFL home-and-away game scheduled for Ballarat.