As piles of washing build up in laundries and new potholes open in carparks and on local roads, a splash of yellow has brought cheer to Ballina this week — and a reminder that spring is almost here.

At Ballina Fair, golden daffodils lit up the grey skies as Cancer Council volunteers marked Daffodil Day, raising funds for cancer research and support services.

Mayor Sharon Cadwallader dropped by to lend her encouragement, saying the bright blooms were a fitting symbol of hope after what has felt like a long, cold and soggy winter.

And soggy it has been. Ballina has already soaked up more than 250mm of rain this month – well above the average of 81mm, though still short of the 2014 record of 360mm. Rain has fallen on15 days so far, compared to the usual nine.

Tuesday brought the chilliest day of the month, with the temperature barely reaching 15 degrees, which is more than six degrees below the August average.   And today has been the wettest yet, with 73mm falling by mid-afternoon at the airport weather station.

By contrast, Sydney is heading for its wettest August on record. But in Ballina, the daffodils are telling their own story: with just ten days to go until September, brighter days are on the way.

📸 Jay, Sharon, Maureen and Victoria added a splash of colour to Ballina Fair with the annual Daffodil Day stall.