Wagga's thunderstorm asthma alert at the ready for incoming dry spring season

But the breathlessness can take its hold for an additional two weeks either side of the Flemington field event.

The late spring thunderstorm season promotes the absolute conditions for people with asthma and hayfever.

With its high concentration of ryegrass pollen, Wagga is one of the worst cities in the state for triggering seasonal sniffles.

Ever since childhood, it has been the time of year Kylie Shaw has most dreaded. Her asthma has almost disappeared into adulthood, but her four children have constantly battled severe symptoms.

“My second eldest is now almost 23 but when she was young it was absolutely chronic,” Mrs Shaw said.

“We tried every bit of medication by the time she was eight.”

The only thing that helped control her asthma was swimming regularly in a heated pool.

“Every person with asthma is different, but for her breathing that humid air in for an hour and half a few times a week helped her lung capacity.”

Despite their struggles, each of the Shaw children has now mounted an assault on the 96 kilometre Kokoda Trail – with 16-year-old Gabrielle to attempt the trek in five weeks’ time.

After this year’s dry winter, the pollen count is likely to be high with ryegrass, which often triggers for the more severe attacks. 

An inquest into the 2016 Melbourne thunderstorm asthma event found that the 10 fatalities were caused in large part by ryegrass irritation in the respiratory system.

Murrumbidgee Local Health District’s respiratory nurse consultant Robyn Paton will be closely monitoring the pollen count this year, to ensure the city does not fall victim to the same circumstances.

“In 1997 we had our worst season,” Ms Paton said.

“We had about 300 people present to the emergency room within 24 hours, with particularly bad thunderstorm asthma.”

In those instances, even people who have never experienced an asthmatic attack may still feel the symptoms taking hold. 

She recommends people with pollen sensitivities consult their general practitioner ahead of the springtime onslaught.

“Make sure you have a written action plan and you're using the preventative measures your doctor has provided,” Ms Paton said.

In most cases, the human body also has its own mechanisms to filter allergen pollen successfully.

“Breathing through the mouth brings in cold, unfiltered air that brings the allergens straight into the lungs.

“Breathing through the nose filters warmed, humid air into the body which is much better to fight the allergens,” Ms Paton said.