Farmers and residents in western New South Wales have rejoiced after much-needed rain offered a temporary reprieve to crippling drought conditions.
Up to 100 mm of rain fell in some parts of the state, with Bourke in Northern New South Wales recording more than 60 mm of rainfall since Sunday morning.
On the state’s mid-north, Girilambone recorded 42.2 mm of rainfall, while the Riverina Griffith received just over 30mm.
Bourke resident Oliver Gordon took to Facebook to share photos of his father Andrew diving straight in to the unusually wet conditions.
On his father Andrew's rain dance, Oliver Gordon says he hasn't "seen a smile like this for a long time." Source: Facebook/Oliver Gordon
"The drought will not be over till the fat cows can't be seen for grass but this much needed rain will certinally [sic] bring some much needed relief and Smiles across the country," Oliver wrote.
The Port of Bourke Hotel was also quick to join the fun, taking to social media to share a video of two patrons dancing and sliding around in the rain.
The video, which has now gone viral, has attracted widespread support with one viewer praising the local enthusiasm.
"People love a good rain dance! Hope rain keep going! Fill those dams, water those paddocks!," the viewer wrote.
The hotel's licensee Luke Moon is equally stunned by the response.
"I've been sitting here look at the numbers, its absolutely phenomenal, something like 440,000 views," he told SBS News.
"The rain started, the verandah was full and everyone's spirits lifted, it was a totally different vibe. We've been depressed and demoralised for so long."
"The verandah was full and everyone's spirits lifted, it was a totally different vibe" Luke Moon, The Port of Bourke Hotel licensee
While the impromptu slip-and-slide fun has delighted locals, there's little doubt about the grave reality that still faces many regional communities.
"In around two-and-a-half-years we've have maybe three drops of 20 mils (in Bourke). It hasn't done anything in four years," Mr Moon said.
Locals are now focussing on the long-term recovery effort, with some suggesting financial assistance is the number one area to address.
"Just think of [sic] each person donated just $1 you’d have over $300,000 for farmers," one man writes on the hotel's Facebook video.
Mr Moon has backed the idea, suggesting a modest donation drive to help those doing it tough.
"It would go a large way. We've been almost shunned by any corporations."
As the federal government mulls over its drought policy and some of Queensland's most vocal politicians engage in their own drought-relief tour, Mr Moon has a direct message for Canberra's decision makers.
"Fix the problem, stop thinking about your own pockets," he said.
"The election will come, and you will win it if you actually do something out here. It used to be a food bowl out this way."
Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack concedes it will take "years to recover from" the harsh conditions facing regional communities.
"(The latest rainfall) is great. But one downpour doesn't end the drought, it doesn't solve the problem in the drought-stricken communities," Mr McCormack said.
"One downpour doesn't end the drought, it doesn't solve the problem in the drought-stricken communities" Michael McCormack, Acting Prime Minister
Speaking at a business breakfast in Bangkok, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the latest rain development is a promising start.
"Australia at present has got some challenges in the agricultural sector, but I was very pleased to hear the reports of rain overnight," he said.
"Our agricultural sector, despite the fact that we face droughts and floods, remains strong like all sectors of the Australian economy."
The Bureau of Meteorology's latest outlook is forecasting below-average rainfall through to January for most of the country.
