16
BAMOS
Mar 2020
Article
Precipitation, Politics and Prayers—
Fisher’s Little Drought
Richard Whitaker
AMOS NSW
Email: [email protected]
The period from late 1913 to mid‐May 1915 was a severe drought
for many parts of South Australia, Victoria, and southern NSW,
with the protracted nature of the event having a severe effect
on rural Australia. Record low rainfall affected some of these
areas for the 12 months 1 May 1914 to 30 April 1915 and during
this time the South Australian wheat crop had largely failed 1 .
Only 20 mm of rain was recorded in Adelaide during the first
3 months of 1915, compared to the long‑term average of
65 mm. For other parts of South Australia no rain at all fell
during this time. 2
The Murray River was reduced to a trickle in some areas,
including Moorook, a town in South Australia’s Riverland district
where it was possible to walk along extensive stretches of the
riverbed.
Prayers for rain were called for as noted in this article from The
Willaura Farmer (Willaura is a small Victorian town around 230
km to the west of Melbourne) on 23rd October 1914 3 :
In view of the representations from many centres
and the great suffering and anxiety caused by the
drought, the Presbyterian Church of Victoria had
decided that Sunday next, October 25th, shall be
set apart as a day of humiliation and prayer for rain
throughout the State. Special services will be held at
Willaura, when Mr. Fitzgerald will occupy the pulpit
both in the morning and evening.
With the Federation Drought (1895–1902) still very much in the
mindset of rural Australia the developing drought of 1914/1915
caused rising concern.
Australian Rainfall Deciles for the period 1 May 1914 to 30 April 1915.
Source: Bureau of Meteorology