Sydney had its hottest day on record yesterday - 45.8C at 2.55pm, breaking the previous record of 45.3C on 14th January 1939.
Train infrastructure crumbled, overhead wiring couldn't cope and rail lines buckled in the heat, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded. Many elderly people were taken to hospital and paramedics were flat out helping people who fainted and others who started to vomit.
The outside air was like a furnace and birds sat on the ground in any shade they could find, with their beaks wide open, obviously very stressed. Several suburbs had their power cut off as grids couldn't cope with the demand.
But there were 57,000 kids at the Big Day Out rock festival who didn't care about the weather.
American funk rockers Red Hot Chili Peppers closed the proceedings in the main arena and The Bloody Beetroots performed an exciting finale in the Boiler Room. The Killers were also a hit.
Big Day Out is always a worry for parents after Jessica Michalik was crushed in a mosh pit during a performance by Limp Bizkit in 2001. She was rushed to Concord hospital but died of a heart attack five days later.
This year, organizers should be congratulated, as a careful eye was kept on everyone. Common sense prevailed, less alcohol was consumed and fans kept cool under water sprays and hydrated themselves with plenty of liquids, mainly water. No violent incidents were reported.
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