While that old epithet of the Lucky Country remains true for most residents, it is a much different story for many families and individuals.

It's an inconvenient truth that in a country as prosperous as ours we have so many people really battling to put a roof over their heads, to pay their bills or to feed and clothe their families.

Sometimes people fall on hard times due to their own mistakes but very often it is simply a run of rotten luck.

And too often it is not just a single person doing it tough. Generational poverty is real and there is no greater tragedy for our society than seeing a child forced to go without.

When so many Australians have so much, it's hard to comprehend that so many can have so little.

As always, it is left up to the good work of a range of local charities to pick up the pieces.

This weekend the Salvation Army is again running its major annual fundraiser, the Red Shield Appeal, and will be calling on Bathurst locals to help however they can.

The Red Shield Appeal has stood the test of time and the Salvos hold a special place in the hearts of most Australians. But the appeal will look a little different to what many of us have seen in the past.

The Bathurst Salvation Army has done away with the traditional doorknock after a run of years where volunteer numbers were down and takings suffered badly as a result.

Instead, the Salvos will this weekend go to where the people are and set up desks in busy local shopping centres to seek donations from Saturday and Sunday shoppers.

We hope it's a success, because no-one has ever doubted the generosity of the people of Bathurst.

There is a strong sense of community in this city that always rises to the surface when times are toughest.

This is a community that's always ready to dig in to lend a hand, or put their hands in their pocket to support a worthy cause.

And as temperatures start to fall across the Central Tablelands, there can be no more worthy cause than helping out our fellow residents.

Please give what you can.

Whether it's a little or a lot, it will will help make someone's winter a little warmer this year in Bathurst.