As temperatures soared above 40 degrees on Friday 9 January, locals did everything they could to keep cool, calm and collected.
In Tarneit, locals stuck to a tried and tested way of beating the heat. From cups and cones to shakes and scoops, Sprinkles Ice Creamery was a sanctuary of sweetness throughout the heatwave.
Ice cream was flying out the door at the popular business, which is the passion of brothers Zane and Kouda Assaad who grew up in a family-run milkbar and wanted to offer local children a similar experience.
Other popular spots to cool off were beaches across the west, libraries and aquatic centres like AquaPulse and Wyndham Waters Leisure Centre.
Werribee Racing club postponed its Kids Day Out race meet scheduled for Friday until Monday because of the extreme heat.
Turn to page 5 for pictures of locals keeping cool in the blistering heatwave.
