Noticed some build up around Mt Dandenong and to the north from work in Kilsyth and prayed to the storm gods for some good fortune.  Then at 3:30 as I was walking out of work, they answered me with a CG over near Montrose, a quick SMS to Jane to let her know that the cell was getting active and I was off home to pick up my camera gear then off to a nice little spot off Mooroolbark Rd which has a nice view to the East and over the Dandenong
ranges.  Got some video of some nice, but maybe a little weak, CG's over a period of about an hour.  Also saw some suspicious looking scud and lowerings, but because of the lighting conditions I couldnt get enough contrast with the video camera to film them properly.

Then I went back home to check the radar and lightning tracker to see what wonders were to come.  There were some serious patches of dark red around Melbourne and Tullamarine with one particular cell which popped up just
north of Melbourne Airport which looked good as it was heading straight at Mooroolbark.   I made the decision to stay at home so I could keep an eye on the radar and have close access to food, drink and toilet.

After around 25 - 30 minutes, sheet lightning was visible to the north and about 20 minutes after that the rain started.  Once the rain had set in, the lightning became more active and as the cell was moving to the SE, I set up my video camera in our back door to try to catch some CG's.  I only got one CG, but after reviewing the tape, it scarred the bejesus out of me.  In the frame right before the CG is first visible, there is a step leader going up from my back fence which is about 2 or 3 metres from where I was standing.

From the Rutherglen area in NE Victoria looking south,
courtesy of Ross Buscall

am =   Andrew McDonald
av = Anthony Violi
cd = Chris Daley
ds =  David Simpson
Dcp03xx, jon = Jane ONeill
rb =  Ross Buscall
rg = Robert Goler