by Sarita England

“Our world is ruined by the sinfulness of man. [The drought is] a powerful reminder that we’re not in control.”

So believes the Deputy Prime Minister, John Anderson. The farmer and Christian joined a chorus of prayers for drenching rain last month. “This drought is as serious as we’ve ever had in Australia…there is enormous social stress,” he told a crowd of hundreds at St Andrew’s Cathedral.

While Mr Anderson spoke in Sydney, thousands of parishioners across the State also prayed for rain, in a day of prayer initiated by the NSW Council of Churches.

Nearly 87 per cent of the state is officially drought declared. Some areas have had no crops for four years and dam levels are at 27 per cent state-wide.

In conjunction with the Day of Prayer, the Archbishop of Sydney’s Community Care and Development Program (CCDP) has now launched a second drought appeal following 2002’s efforts.

The Ven David Hill, rector of Young and Archdeacon of Rural Parishes for the Diocese of Canberra/Goulburn said the situation in his parish is desperate. “The creeks have dried up and dams that have had water in them for 80 years are now dry.”

Archdeacon Hill admitted ministering to a community in drought is a tremendous challenge. “I have wives coming to me wondering how they will cope with another year with no rain. They are worried about their husbands who are depressed and withdrawn,” he said.

“I was recently told of a woman who was desperate, came for a food parcel, but when her husband found out, he just lost it, and went off his block. Now she just hides the food parcels and brings only an item or two into the house at a time.”

Money raised through the Archbishop’s Drought Appeal will be distributed to individuals after applications are made to CCDP by the local minister.