Soaking winter rain used to happen almost every year in southern Victoria during late August and early spring, but has become less frequent over the last 40 years.

I'm nearly 60, and I remember muddy football grounds and swollen creeks and rivers, like they were normal events, and they were.

Gradually, the winter rain stopped and spring rain became rare. Annual rainfall averages stayed close to the historical records, but most of this was falling in summer storms and from descending tropical cyclones every few years in autumn.

Football grounds and creeks became dry for most of the time. Winter daytime temperatures became warmer with climate change, but overnight temperatures were often lower because of dry conditions and frost.

This year has been remarkable because it's been a "traditional" winter with lots of rain, albeit higher daytime temperatures than occurred 40 years ago when I was 19.

During this winter, Ballarat has received 116mm in June, 76mm in July, and 94mm in August with 11 days to go. August 2025 had 67mm altogether.

My drive to work in Maryborough follows part of McCallums Creek from Craigie toward Clunes. Normally it's dry or flowing as a trickle between waterholes. It's known to fill quickly with heavy rain and to occasionally flood the township of Carisbrook, where it's joined by Tullaroop Creek.

The photo above shows a swollen McCallums Creek, close to bursting its banks. It probably won't flood because the rain is expected to ease tonight after about 30mm today. Early last week, about 60mm fell across the catchment.

This is normal, and it should happen nearly every year in August/September, but it doesn't any more. Winter rain and minor flooding replenish groundwater and nutrients, provide growth for flora and habitat for fauna. It also defers the "fire season" a couple of months into the new year because of wet undergrowth.

The reality of climate change means it's too much to hope for a return to normal weather patterns, but this year has seen a welcome temporary restoration.