A severe dry commenced in February 1951. Low rainfall, grass fires and bushfires over an area of about 6 million ha and cold winters caused one of the worst droughts in Queensland. Losses occurred in the cropping, farming and dairy industries. Crop and dairy production were the lowest since 1926. The dry conditions continued until April 1952. A further period of dry weather followed in 1953. By early 1954 the drought covered the Gulf of Carpentaria to the Darling Downs and west to the border with South Australia.

Rockhamtpon Regional Council in partnership with the Queensland a…