2nd June 2026

According to new Oxfam Australia analysis of the 2026 Australian Financial Review Rich List the wealth of Australia’s billionaires increased by almost $50,000 every minute in the past year.   The Australian Council of Social Service  (ACOSS) figures show 3,706,000 people live in poverty, (around 13.5% of the total population) including 757,000 children under 15 years. One in three households experienced food insecurity last year.  Oxfam Australia’s chief executive, Jennifer Tierney, said “There is something fundamentally wrong with a system where extreme wealth keeps skyrocketing while so many people are struggling to afford the basics, and governments claim there is not enough money for housing, healthcare, climate action and essential services.”  In separate research by the Salvation Army it was found that in survey of 4,400 Australians seeking emergency relief support found that nearly one in five (19 per cent) were eating from bins, and three in five (60 per cent) were eating expired or spoiled food over the past 12 months. The Salvation Army's Mayor, Bruce Harmer, “No one in Australia should be forced to choose between heating their home, feeding their children or buying medication, yet this is the reality facing more and more people every single day." 

Loving God, there is something that is not right with our economic systems that enable a few people to benefit so much whilst so many struggle for survival. We thank you for Oxfam highlighting the financial inequalities in Australia. May the Australian people question the economic justice in their economic and political system that people need not live in food precarity not 757,000 children live in poverty. You have taught us that the love of money is the root of all evil, and that we should be compassionate when we see our neighbours in need. Help us to make our prayer that your will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven a reality. In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

Thomas was unloading cattle at the mart in Clogher on May 17 last year when a bull in one of the loading bays struck him resulting in Thomas sustaining serious internal injuries to his abdomen. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) and the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) were called to the scene where the HEMS doctor and paramedic placed Thomas into an induced coma before getting him to hospital. Thomas spent thirty-one days in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast and a further four days in Craigavon Area Hospital recovering from his injuries.  Thomas and his wife Jackie were so grateful for the swift response of the air ambulance team that they held a fund raiser - a ‘Night of Celebration’ at Quinn’s Corner, Dungannon on Saturday 18th April.  Included was a live auction, raffle, live music.  The event attended by hundreds of people from across the entire community in support of Thomas. £90K raised for air ambulance, enough to fund the service for eleven days. Damien McAnespie, Fundraising Manager for Air Ambulance NI, “I want to thank Thomas, Jackie and the entire community for their incredible donation to the charity. Thomas has made a wonderful recovery over the last twelve months since his accident and he has certainly played a huge part in ensuring the helicopter emergency medical service can continue to be there for those who need it most.

God the Father, you made a world of plenty,

enough for all.

You made people in your image

to share and delight in your bounty

and live together in unity

We give you thanks and praise.

God the Son, you came to show us the Father's love.

You died so our sin would be forgiven.

You taught us how to live together in unity.

We give you thanks and praise.

God the Holy Spirit, you were sent

that we may not be left as orphans.

You came to teach, admonish, to guide,

and to equip us for service in the Kingdom,

that people may live together in unity

with God and one another.

We give you thanks and praise.

One eternal God, Father, Son and Holy Sprit,

we glorify you and magnify your Holy name.

Amen.