Suicide takes the lives of eight people in Australia every day. It takes more lives than motor vehicle accidents and is the leading cause of death among our young people. In rural and remote parts of the country, the rate of suicide is even higher. 1.5 to 2 times higher. Yet suicide is preventable. …
- 1300 787 247
The rate of suicide in rural and remote Australia is double that of our cities
Suicide takes the lives of eight people in Australia every day – more lives than motor vehicle accidents. It is the leading cause of death among our youth. In rural and remote parts of our country, the rate of suicide is appallingly higher – 150 to 200% higher. Suicide by remoteness 2010-19 FACT SHEET …
Without even a church nearby
After a series of tragedies, and without even a church nearby, a community in the Shire of Cook in Far North Queensland had been feeling isolated and abandoned. They told Bush Chaplain Joe Eka, “Even God has left us”. But thanks to your support, Bush Chaplain Joe could visit the community, bringing prayer, fellowship and …
There’s something about a rural show
There’s something about a rural show. It’s the sound of greetings called out to friends who haven’t met up in a year. It’s the smell of scones from the baking tent. It’s the celebration of everything that makes that region wonderful. And for the Frontier Services community, it’s the chance to connect. Our Bush Chaplains …
Learning on a full tummy
In a primary school in South Gippsland, school kids can now start their day of learning on a full tummy. Others now have a safe, comfy space to retreat to when things are overwhelming. While older kids going to high school finally have a computer to access classwork. And it’s all thanks to an extraordinary …
Making sure guests feel welcome
Lily and Carol spend their days and nights making sure guests feel welcome, and now our supporters have made them feel welcome, too. The two Ni-Vanuatu women are living in Curtin Springs, near Uluru, as part of the Pacific Labour Scheme. They’ve had to leave their family and culture behind in Vanuatu so they could …
Homecoming sparks hope in Buchan
The feeling of family is often tied to the place we grew up, where we forged our earliest memories. For many people in remote communities like Buchan, Victoria, that feeling of family is enough reason to never leave. Even when everything’s gone. When Mick looks over his family’s cattle farm today, he feels the same ...
Unexpected acts of kindness
Have you ever noticed how it’s often the small, unexpected acts of kindness that make the tears fall? You might have experienced that yourself. Perhaps you were holding it together through a particularly tough time, staying strong, but then someone reaches out to you with a kind hug or an offer of help with the …
How your generosity is transforming lives in Far North Queensland
All across our country, Australians are stumbling under the ongoing weight of floods, severe storms, the bushfires, and the drought, which went on for years. In between, they faced down mice plagues and a global pandemic. In the meantime, there are all the ups and downs and hardships of life: the death of loved ones, ...
Arriving in Roma
Reverend Dona Spencer recently started her new chaplaincy after arriving in Roma. We caught up with her before she left to talk about the journey ahead. What made you decide to become a Bush Chaplain? Rev Dona: It wasn’t one single moment. It was a series of events that led me to strongly feel that …