Video captures Dubbo local dancing in drought-stricken Dubbo
Is this the happiest man in NSW right now? Ben Goatcher couldn’t contain his excitement on Sunday when the drought-stricken town of Dubbo was hit by the first heavy rainfall in more than 100 days. WATCH THE VIDEO.
Ben Goatcher couldn’t contain his excitement on Sunday when the drought-stricken town of Dubbo, New South Wales, was hit by the first heavy rainfall in more than 100 days.
Beer in hand, the local business owner celebrated the downpour by ripping off his shirt and diving into the glorious mud.
Mr Goatcher was at his father’s property on the outskirts of Dubbo when nearly 40 millimetres of rain hit the town on Sunday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Sister Sarah Jay captured her brother’s joy in this video unearthed by social news agency Storyful.
It’s the best rainfall since October 5 when the town received 45mm according to the Bureau.
Dubbo received just 8.2mm in January before Sunday evening’s thunderstorm dumped nearly 40mm on the town.
In the video Mr Goatcher can be seen rolling around in a flooded paddock, taking extra care not to drop his beer.
“They’re doing it hard out here and a bit of rain brings a bit of joy to a lot of people,” he said.
“The heatwave over the last couple of weeks has really knocked us around and dried up all the feed.
“We can’t bring the rain but if we can bring a few laughs, that’s worth it.”
Mr Goatcher operates a local business, Steel Suppliers Dubbo, which relies on farmers who have been hit by the drought.
“The farmers out here, they’re one of our main sources of income so we try to help out where we can.
“There are some people doing it real hard. As long as you get a laugh out of it that’s all that matters.”
The downpour is welcome – but not likely to be drought-breaking.
Wet weather will stick around until Wednesday, before temperatures are expected to soar back to 40 degrees amid hot, dry conditions, according to the Bureau.
Much of New South Wales is in a severe drought including the driest 14-month spell since records began in 1900.
Deteriorating conditions last year prompted the federal government to announce a $190 million drought aid package for struggling farmers.
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