Welcome to the Good News Roundup for November 18, 2024.
Wollongong Sandwich Sessions
In Wollongong, the community is making a difference by preparing 750 cheese sandwiches every Friday for local school students who arrive without lunch. The sandwich sessions, organized by the Illawarra Multicultural Service, provide not only meals but also a vital opportunity for community members to connect, improve their language skills, and gain employment prospects. The initiative is growing as demand increases, with 20 schools now benefiting from the food delivery. Eat Up founder Lyndon Galea reports that this increase in need is being felt across Australia, with the charity now supporting 900 schools nationwide.
Gophers Aid Mount St. Helens Recovery
Mount St. Helens’ 1980 eruption left its surrounding environment desolate, with no life for miles around. Scientists, however, discovered that the unassuming gopher could be the key to restoring life to the land. By releasing gophers onto the mountain, researchers found that the rodents’ burrowing helped bring vital soil microbes to the surface, significantly boosting plant regrowth. Over 40 years later, the effects of this unusual intervention are still visible, showing how small, invisible elements in nature can have a profound impact on large-scale ecosystems.
Bear the Kelpie Triumphs in Endurance Challenge
Bear, a six-year-old kelpie, has taken the crown in a national working dog challenge, impressing with his stamina and speed. Over two weeks, Bear ran an astounding 570 kilometres—almost the distance from Brisbane to Rockhampton—averaging 40 kilometres per day. Farmer Tom Perkins, who bought Bear for just $200 due to his status as the ‘unwanted’ pup of the litter, saw his dog’s remarkable ability take centre stage as they worked together to muster 3,500 sheep and cattle. The competition highlighted the indispensable role working dogs play in Australia’s agricultural industry.
Mickey the Cockatoo Leaves Coles
Mickey, the cockatoo who spent an entire month trapped inside a western Sydney Coles, is finally back on track to return to the wild. After weeks of evading multiple capture attempts and surviving on brioche and water, Mickey was safely removed from the Macarthur Square Coles. The breakthrough came when local sanctuary director Ravi Wasan used a friendly female cockatoo, Doris, to coax Mickey into a cage. Mickey is now receiving care at the Feathered Friends sanctuary, where he will undergo rehabilitation before being released back into nature.
