Outpost

Greetings from the dry, dry world of Western Australia. Australia was largely cushioned from the worst of the effects of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) because of the strength of its mining industry, strong regulatory banking controls and from the Government having budgeted for surpluses over several years. Western Australia was and still is the leading State in the country driving the national economy. However this year it has been our turn to experience a severe drought from the Gascoyne Region and through the whole south west of the State. Whilst Perth has only received about half of its annual average rainfall this year many parts the Wheatbelt have only received 10% or 20% and that means the total wheat, barley, oats and canola crops will only be less than half of the average production.