Nick Andrews from Farmcote Station in far-west New South Wales has finally shaved his beard after 21 months of growth.
The grazier vowed to grow his beard until at least an inch of rain fell on his property, and yesterday got his reprieve.
Thirty-six millimetres of rain fell on the station, which is the biggest single 'downpour' in the last three years.
"I thought we were just getting a dust storm because it was pretty dusty and windy, but yeah, I was very surprised," Mr Andrews.
"We probably got more rain yesterday than the whole of last year.
After almost two years of beard growth, Mr Andrews said getting rid of it was a momentous occasion.
"I got the clippers out last night and off it went," he said.
"It was a stranger in the mirror this morning.
"I think [wife] Kristy was more excited than me to see it come off.
"It gave up growing too in the end — it was just too dry, so it didn't get too long or anything."
Drought far from over
Figures from the Department of Primary Industries show 100 per cent of NSW is back in drought, with almost two thirds experiencing intense conditions.
While rain across the region brought much-needed relief for some, graziers are hoping for follow-up rainfall.
"If we get another rain next week, or the week after, it'll do some good," Mr Andrews said.
But Abrar Shabran, a forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology, said that looked unlikely.
"In the next couple of days, we're not looking at much rainfall," he said.
"In the eastern parts of the far west, we might see some sort of shower activity, but generally speaking most of the rainfall will be towards the coast and the east of the state.
"Most of the western parts of the state are in drought and this rainfall is not that significant to take the drought away."
