Even now, on the first day of spring, the cold is refusing to loosen its white-knuckle grip on poor Melbourne.

​The last time Melbourne suffered through this callous a winter a young freckled red head was about to make a name for herself in Hollywood for her role in Dead Calm. Back then, Melburnians who sought comfort from the chill fled under covers to watch television sets pump out episodes of Fast Forward and Acropolis Now.

This winter Melburnians braved a cold not experienced since 1989. We hibernated in front of thinner screens watching shows about mythical creatures called White Walkers and people under threat of 'winter coming' while we wished for the day our own winter would end.

Today is that day.