The rain couldn’t have fallen at a more precise time on Wednesday, just as the Duke and Duchess arrived at Victoria Park for the community Picnic in the Park gathering.
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But who cared.
The Duke stood in the rain, his Duchess by his side holding a black umbrella.
He talked about hope and support and being together through all our community is going through.
The soaking rain worked in perfectly with the Prince’s address to the public and his closing line ‘the rain is a gift’.
The rain fell harder and everyone stayed, many fixed by the duke's words.
They found shelter, or they just stood and let it fall on top of them.
It showed the feeling in the park – people were there to see the duke and duchess, and they were going to see them, who cared about the rain.
Everyone was happy. There were no negative comments. No one unhappy to be there.
People in the park understood they were listening to history being made in Dubbo, and they were there for it through the wet and the dry.
Everyone was happy. There were no negative comments. No one unhappy to be there.
And it was a day of history.
From young Luke Vincent who captured the hearts of the nation with his hugs for Prince Harry and Meghan, to the farmers who showed them how affected their sheep and cattle were due to the drought.
Then to the park, where people had been waiting since 5.30am to catch a glimpse of the royal couple, and through to the school where soaking teenagers met the couple; coming away with vows ‘never to wash their hands again’ after a handshake from Prince Harry.
The day was marked by a party atmosphere, everyone was happy, everyone was excited.
The duke and duchess’ visit to the city did exactly what it was hoped it would do. It lifted the spirits of our residents who have been through so much in the past few years.
Residents seemed to really understand that by visiting the royal couple have not only helped Dubbo’s economy, but also helped the country and the world understand what rural NSW is dealing with at the moment.
The rain may have come, but underneath it’s only the beginning of the drought-breaking. Without more, we are back to where we started.
Though now we have something a little more to smile about.