🌞 Tea with strangers

Thank you to everyone who responded to last week’s callout for good news. I absolutely love hearing from you.

Shoutout to reader Zena, who shared: “I recently learnt about an innovative approach to aged care in rural and remote areas in WA called ‘staying in place’. Starting 3 years ago in a small town called Pingelly, they have set up a system that means people in the community can age in their homes. It is creating more jobs for the local community and social connection for older adults at risk of isolation! Now the model is being used in over 40 WA locations.”

Let’s keep the good news flowing!

Thousands of kindy students in Prague will get a special present to mark their first day of school. 

The lucky kids will receive a package with school supplies and trinkets such as slippers, bookmarks and children’s tickets to local attractions. The packages, courtesy of the local government and other city companies, are truly a community collaboration. 

For example, the Prague City Library will be donating bookmarks, the Prague Rescue Service will be donating colouring books, and Prague Zoo will be donating animal notebooks.  

Prague mayor Bohuslav Svoboda said: “The first day of school is a big step for children and parents, and we want them to have only good memories of it.” 

Attendees at London’s Notting Hill Carnival this week, an annual celebration of Caribbean cultures. 📸: Alishia Abodunde via Getty.

In some much-needed marine good news, this year’s whale season in South Australia has been called a “beacon of light” by scientists.

Research by Flinders University has shown good signs for the “long-term recovery” of Southern Right Whales, which are endangered.

Flinders University researcher Dr Claire Charlton said with early sightings reported in multiple locations, they are “eagerly anticipating a bumper year after recent years of slower growth.” She said that almost 200 whales were recorded across South Australia last week, which were “record numbers observed since 2016.” In fact, data from the SA town Fowlers Bay shows one of the fastest growth rates for southern right whales in the world.

Gift-giving just got a whole lot easier

Forget wicker baskets and shortbread – these Sexy Night In hampers from Normal x Good Day People are designed to actually excite.

Available in two curated editions (Minxy Mitch $180 / Cheeky Chelsea $250), each pack delivers luxe treats, cheeky extras, and the viral Cheek palm vibrator (yes, the one that sold out twice).

Whether it’s for date night, solo indulgence, or a breakup bounce-back, these hampers nail the balance of thoughtful and playful. Fast, discreet delivery, epic packaging, and incredible value.

The fourth and final tennis major of the year, the U.S. Open, is currently underway, with the sport’s biggest names facing off. However, it’s who’s off-court that’s been stealing the show this year.

The tournament has set up a lemonade stand, run by children and frequented by the world number ones. 

Some of the customers so far have included Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka.

You can watch videos of the stand here.

Now it’s time for some community good news. Introducing…Cause Club!

Cause Club is a national initiative where you’re connected to community volunteering events and opportunities through a free newsletter. The idea is to turn “good intentions into simple, social action.”

Benefits include meeting young people in your community, and participating in more-than-your-standard community events.

Events could include doing foster runs for rescue dogs, beach clean-ups, or helping people move house. You can filter by cause, location, and do it with friends or strangers. As their website says: “You don’t need to do everything. But you can do something.”

How good!

A Mug of Life is run by William Shears, who asks strangers he meets on walks the most important question: Would you like a cup of tea?

Over tea, William and his new friend have the loveliest conversation, which can cover a range of topics – their life, their passions, and their interests.

It’s so wholesome to see the connections formed! Genuinely one of my favourite accounts on the internet.