Dark clouds hang over Wollongong's Belmore Basin yesterday. Picture: SYLVIA LIBER
Gloomy weather and Australia Day hangovers offered the perfect excuses to stay indoors yesterday.
The miserable conditions brought a quieter day for the region’s police, who had spent a hectic Saturday watching over revellers at events across the region.
Yesterday, an early-morning storm dumped rain over the region, with 72.6millimetres recorded at Bellambi between 3am and 9am.
The falls were less dramatic in the southern suburbs, with 20millimetres recorded at Albion Park’s weather station overnight, and 17millimetres at Kiama.
Weather conditions stayed dry throughout Saturday.
Lake Illawarra police Inspector Gary Castles praised the behaviour of Australia Day crowds, with no reports of any major incidents.
‘‘Everyone was well behaved,’’ he said.
‘‘There were only some minor issues later in the afternoon, but all in all everyone was well behaved and police can praise them for their good conduct.’’
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchell said the whole community had had a good time and celebrated Australia Day responsibly.
The celebrations were ‘‘predominantly peaceful and family-friendly, with members of the public taking heed of our warnings”.
‘‘It made for an enjoyable environment and a great day with family and friends.’’
Officers conducted thousands of random breath tests across the state, and 22 people were charged with drink-driving.
“We saw the majority of motorists travelling on our roads obeying the road rules, particularly around road closures and pedestrian areas,” Mr Mitchell said.
Inspector Castles said the dreary weather had kept most people at home yesterday, though extra patrols were planned for last night.
