IF rain on your wedding day brings good luck, newlyweds Jill and Dan Keynes have it in spades after their family property recorded its highest rainfall event in almost a decade.
The young couple travelled from Groote Eylandt to the bride's family property Avon Downs, 150km north of Clermont, for the December 29 wedding.
But as family and friends gathered from around the country, the dark clouds rolled in, delivering what Jill's mother Robyn Simmons described as 'drought-breaking' rain.
While a few storms had preceded the big day, no-one could have predicted the torrential downpour that would occur as the final preparations were being put in place.
What followed was a logistical challenge, to get 130 guests plus 20 kids and babies up the muddy 27km driveway to the venue - and then ultimately to accommodate everyone after creeks rose during the reception.
The one day event turned into a four day celebration, with guests from Tasmania, New Zealand, Groote Eylandt, Kangaroo Island, Victoria, South Australia and from all over Queensland.
The newly-minted Mrs Keynes said the property had received 91.5mm between Christmas and December 29, when a further 75mm fell.
As she woke on her wedding day, Mrs Keynes said there was a 'black ring' of clouds around Avon, the likes of which she had not seen for years.
"Logistically, my heart was breaking, Avon is 150km from Clermont and for all of the people to get there was already hard.
"We sent a message to anyone in hire cars, caravans and Winnebagos to leave them at the front road.
"We had four-wheel drivers going to the turn off, picking people out."
And the groom had no time for nerves, ensuring the reception venue would withhold the storm.
"I was too busy racing back and forward on a quad bike, pliers in pocket, everyone pitched in and helped secure the horse stables.
"Out of 150 people only five didn't make it to the actual event and that's because of flooded creeks, they couldn't get out of their own properties."
Rain continued to belt down during the reception and 170 guests and helpers were stranded on night one.
The family's neighbours and wedding guests Graham Heelan and Dale Dennis used their mustering choppers to evacuate 20 people on day two, while a tinny was used to take more people to higher ground on the third day.
A loader and tractor was used to pull four-wheel drives over the creek on New Year's Eve, with the remaining guests leaving on January 1.
"We always billed it as an adventure party and it didn't disappoint," Mr Keynes said.
"If rain on your wedding day beings good luck, we've got enough to last several lifetimes."
Mrs Keynes said the event was a testament to the community, with locals helping out with hair, make-up, catering and the bar, and providing some of the musical entertainment.
"Being such a community event where everyone got rain made it an extra special celebration," she said.
Mrs Simmons said the property had received 217mm in that week.
"We hadn't had rain like that for eight years," she said.
"We've been in a terrible way for a long time and were getting desperate with cattle on agistment down south."
Mrs Simmons said the rain meant the family would be able to plant a forage sorghum crop in coming weeks.
"It's very exciting we're starting to think about spraying and will plant in the next six to eight weeks.
"We planted 4,000ha last year but with marginal success because of grasshoppers and limited moisture.
"It certainly seems like a proper wet season is about to unfold."
The date had a special significance, as the bride's parents had also married on the Tuesday between Christmas and New Years 34 years ago, and the groom's parents on the same day 44 years ago.
