A former police officer has issued a heartfelt plea to the Canberra community, urging residents to support disadvantaged children this Christmas as the cost-of-living crisis leaves many families facing heartbreaking choices.
A Bleak Festive Season for Many
Recent research from the Salvation Army paints a confronting picture of the festive season for struggling households. The data indicates that around one in five Australian parents fear their children will miss out on Christmas presents this year because household budgets have been stretched beyond their limits.
Peter Davis of Dunlop, writing in a letter to the editor, stated that as a former police officer, he has witnessed the growing number of young people being silently left behind by the economic crisis. He emphasised that for many families, the season has become a source of stress rather than celebration, forcing impossible decisions between essentials like food, medicine, and bills, and the simple joy of giving a child a gift.
"For a child, being the one left out while classmates celebrate may seem small to an adult, but it can foster feelings of isolation that echo for years," Davis wrote. He warned that the growing gap in quality of life, felt most sharply during moments like Christmas, creates long-lasting hurt that can have generational impacts.
Community Call to Action
Davis is calling on Canberrans who have the capacity to help to consider donating to Kids in Care ACT, assuring that every dollar goes directly to local children and families in greatest need. "These kids deserve to know someone cares," he concluded.
His letter was among several published on December 22, 2025, highlighting a range of community concerns alongside the Christmas appeal.
Other Community Concerns Voiced
The letters section also featured strong opinions on local development and national politics. Penny Moyes of Hughes expressed deep concern over the ACT government's approval of a 25-metre pool connected to Geocon's residential towers on the Phillip Pool site in Woden, lamenting the loss of another 50-metre pool in the area.
"Yet again the ACT government plays into the hands of the developers. No thought is given to the community they are meant to represent," Moyes wrote, also criticising a proposed 55-metre tower that exceeds the Woden town plan's height guidelines.
On national issues, a letter from V Harris of Yass praised Independent Senator David Pocock for his critique of politician travel entitlements, while other correspondents questioned government action on issues ranging from the Big Splash site redevelopment to welfare support.
Jill Sutton of Watson argued for a fresh look at the employment system and the serious consideration of a basic minimum income policy in the face of AI reducing entry-level jobs. "A society needs to nourish and share with all its members, whether they are employed or not," Sutton wrote.
The collective message from the community letters is clear: while challenges are multifaceted, from urban planning to national policy, the immediate call to ensure no Canberra child feels forgotten this Christmas remains a pressing and unifying cause.
