Jane McNamara is well acquainted with drought. She was seven years old before her family's property in outback Queensland received more than 24 hours of continuous rain.
Three generations of her family have fought for more than 110 years to keep stock on their station, located 80 kilometres south of Hughenden.
After a decade of patchy rain, Ms McNamara, who is also the local mayor, hoped recent storms would replenish her pastures but the season has fallen short.
"The problem is we didn't have it in the early part of the year and out of the three dams here, two of them haven't even run," she says.
So, when Ms McNamara received a call informing her the drought declaration had been quietly lifted in Flinders Shire, she was shocked.
"That was the very first I'd heard about it," she says.
"It was a bit of shock to all of us because one season of rain doesn't break the drought."
Secret committees decide graziers' fate
For almost 40 years, secret committees in each shire across Queensland have advised the state government on which parts of the state are officially in drought and eligible for assistance.
The groups consist of local producers and industry specialists, who analyse seasonal conditions and report back to the minister for agriculture.
The groups are so secretive, the names of members are kept private to protect their identities.
Members are often life-long or stay in the role for decades.
But graziers say the decision to take part of Flinders Shire off the drought list shows the committees are outdated and out of touch.
Now, they're calling for a statewide review.
"I think it's important they actually update the whole system," Ms McNamara says.
"It's not that I'm asking for Flinders to be put back on the drought list, it's just that I think the whole system is quite flawed and it's not giving a true picture of what's happening in the district."
Having a drought declaration means having access to crucial financial support worth thousands of dollars each year when times are tough.
Earlier this year, drought declarations were lifted in seven shires — including part of Flinders — following a significant wet season.
The recommendations came from local drought committees.
While some property owners have recorded above-average rainfall across western Queensland this year, Ms McNamara says many are still suffering.
Ms McNamara says she would like to see more consultation with locals across shires — as well as councils — before declarations are lifted.
"We need to have a revamp and we need to have more people at the table," she says.
"Let's make it open and transparent."
Queensland Minister for Agriculture Mark Furner insists local drought committees are doing their job.
"I think they've served their communities well … both before my time and during my time as Agriculture Minister," he says.
"It's very rare that someone will challenge their findings in terms of their outcomes."
He says the groups are not obliged to consult with local residents.
"There's little consultation with the local area because they are well positioned in terms of their professional knowledge," Mr Furner says.
Last year, the state government committed more than $70 million over four years as part of its Queensland Drought Assistance and Reform package.
Mr Furner says graziers do not need to be in drought-declared regions to access this support.
Who are they?
Up the road from Ms McNamara's sheep station, rainfall is also a hot topic of conversation at the local watering hole in Prairie.
Grazier Bob Bode runs about 5,000 head of cattle on his station.
He agrees that lifting the drought status in part of Flinders Shire was premature.
"I think they might have jumped the gun because there's been like eight or nine years of drought," he says.
"It's a sign [committee] members need to get out and have a bit of a look."
Mr Bode says he doesn't understand why the committees are anonymous.
"No-one knows who they are. Where are they?" he says.
Several Local Drought Committee members who spoke to the ABC said they were glad the committees were anonymous.
All members said they were concerned if their identities were made public, they might be blackmailed into making decisions that would financially benefit other property owners.
But Ms McNamara believes the secretive nature of the committees is preventing locals from joining.
"A lot of people are not … confident to go on a drought committee because of the confidentiality and the fact that you are judging your peers," she says.
Calls to involve younger generations
For Angie Nisbet, greater transparency of committees would give her peace of mind.
The cattle and goat grazier relocated back to her family's property just outside of Hughenden 18 months ago.
She believes younger generations should be included in drought decisions.
"Knowing these people is really paramount. Are they from a property? How long have they been in the area?" Ms Nisbet says.
"Being a bit more aware of who you could approach and talk to about it would be really helpful, especially because we're planning to be here for the rest of our lives.
"We've got a huge agriculture industry and we need as many young people [as possible] on board."
