BILL FINLAYSON INSPECTS HIS DRIED-UP DAM ON HIS PROPERTY NEAR THE OUTBACK TOWN OF BREWARRINA, 2002-09-26...

Bill Finlayson and daughter Harriet round up sheep as they inspect one of his empty dams on his drought-ridden property, where there hasn't been any decent rain for two years, near the township of Brewarrina, located more than 800 kilometres (497 miles) northwest of Sydney, in this September 26, 2002 photo. Australian farmers, who receive drought assistance from the federal government, were shocked when the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics (ABARE) stated June 11 in it's latest report that the 2002/03 drought appeared to be over. The second-generation farmer's once green paddocks have been transformed into sun-cracked wasteland, thousands of sheep have been or sold or are dying. Even in outback Australia where conditions are harsh at the best of times, Finlayson and other struggling farmers in remote New South Wales say this is the worst drought in living memory. Picture taken September 26, 2002. REUTERS/David Gray DG/FA/AA