🌞 The 99-year-old's birthday surprise

I have never been more happy to open my inbox than I was this week, when it was flooded with all your recommendations.

Thank you so, so much for sending your favourite books and movies through, and a big shoutout to the octogenarians who read this newsletter and responded to my callout 😊

I’ve made a google doc with all the recommendations here. While I’ve included just the titles, please know I’ve read all the life advice, book reviews and wishes with the biggest smile (and I’ve responded to every single one!) 

Thank you for being my favourite newsletter community. You are all simply the best. 

As my intro probably let on, I’m a SUCKER for a feel-good community story, so we’re starting this edition strong. 

99-year-old Cliff Kimlin had the most unexpected birthday surprises, thanks to his daughter-in-law, Leone Kimlin.

Leone had posted a request for birthday cards on a community Facebook group, as Cliff was a big letter enthusiast who had a difficult year, with his son's death and move to residential care. 

Well, the community showed up big time. Cliff was the recipient of more than 500 cards and letters, in addition to gifts, hampers and a painting. 

Cliff, a lifelong Brisbane Broncos fan, was also surprised by former Broncos stars Alex Glenn, Allan Langer, Corey Oates, Petero Civoniceva, and Sam Thaiday at a nearby cafe. Cliff received a signed cap and jersey. 

The cafe’s owner Giina Lashmar offered to host the group free of charge, telling the ABC: “I don’t want to see another oldie lonely.” 

I love it when kindness gives back. 

I’m also going to say something I’ve never said before. Open this Facebook post, and read the comments. They’re heartwarming. 

Happy Birthday Cliff! 

A researcher at the University of Western Australia has made a new screening tool that can find out if expectant mothers will struggle with breastfeeding, before they give birth. 

Dr Sharon Perrella designed the tool so it can pick up pre-existing health conditions that can complicate breastfeeding. She also said the screening tool could be easily integrated into routine pregnancy care. 

She said: “Early detection means women can receive targeted information and support both before and after birth to establish and continue breastfeeding.” 

Dr Perrella led a study which found up to half of pregnant mothers had at least one risk factor that could make breastfeeding difficult. 

She said: “When provided with prenatal screening and targeted support, breastfeeding rates at six months among women with multiple risk factors are similar to women without risk factors.” 

Aussie Rose Davies during the Women's 5000m Final at Scotstoun Stadium during the 2026 Commonwealth Games

Here’s what sparked joy for TDA copyeditor Lucy.

“Kath and Arun are a couple from Melbourne vlogging their weekly shops and cooking. They only have two videos in their “Let Them Cook” series, but they’re both excellent.”

I’ve always wondered if any of the accounts we recommend actually follow TDA, so Kath, Arun, if you’re reading this: we’re big fans. 

Researchers have created the first comprehensive digital map of UNESCO World Heritage sites that are located on coastlines less than 20 metres above sea level.

The map could protect these heritage sites from climate change, and will help policymakers, advocates and scientists better understand the coastal impacts of climate change. 

Maps like these have often been unavailable in the past, making it  hard to assess the vulnerability of coastal heritage sites facing environmental pressures. 

The new resource fixes this by providing precise digital boundaries for every UNESCO World Heritage property of Outstanding Universal Value  in low-lying areas. It covers 1,250 sites that cover 235 million hectares worldwide, including natural sites and cultural landmarks (including our own Opera House!).

It’s currently based on the list of heritage sites in 2023, but will be updated to 2026 at the end of this year. 

The project was led by researchers from the University of East Anglia, Durham University and the University of Cape Town, with funding from the Irish Government and British organisations.

There's something powerful about simply being seen.

A smile, a hello, a few minutes of undivided company can be enough to make someone feel less alone, especially for people navigating homelessness and hardship. Tomorrow kicks off Homelessness Week 2026, and Orange Sky is reminding Aussies that you don't need the perfect words or a grand gesture to make a difference - just a willingness to sit down, listen and treat someone with warmth and respect. It's proof that small acts of kindness can ease isolation and strengthen communities, one conversation at a time.

Campell’s keeled glass snails, previously thought extinct, were re-discovered six years ago by Norfolk Islander Mark Scott.

Less than 50 individuals were found surviving in Norfolk Island National Park, resulting in a conservation breeding program at Taronga Zoo in 2021.

The program has grown the population of the snails from 46 to hundreds, which meant they were able to be released into the wild from last year. 

More than 300 were released last year, and now, a further 1,000 have been released into the same site at Norfolk Island National Park, boosting the wild population established with the first release. 

Parks Australia has recorded wild-born child and adult snails at the release site, which is “strong evidence that the species is not only surviving, but also breeding… taking slow-crawling milestones towards establishing a self-sustaining population.” 

Researchers and students will continue to monitor the snails and track their growth. 

The Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL) starts its inaugural season today! 

The WPBL league is the only professional women’s baseball competition in the U.S. and will run from August through September. 

It’ll have four teams: New York Heights, Boston Hunters, Los Angeles Queens and San Francisco Fireballs. They’re named after civil and women’s rights activist Dorothy Height, doctor and women’s rights activist Harriot Hunt, “the Queen of Baseball” Lizzie Murphy, and firefighter Lillie Hitchcock Coit, who was dubbed “Firebelle Lil.”  

From now on, little girls playing baseball will have games to attend, role models to look up to and more pathways for a future professional career. 

 Matt Damon’s best friend* Ben Affleck won $US1 million ($AU1.42 million) for charity on the game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" alongside his partner, “Jeopardy!” champion Jamie Ding. 

The two men were playing for  the Eastern Congo Initiative, a non-profit Affleck co-founded that supports Congolese communities.

Affleck said: “This is in large part designed to relive… the spread of Ebola.”

*I am not joking. Matt Damon told Ben Affleck about his role in The Odyssey before he could tell his wife, Luciana Barroso. To be fair, he tried calling his wife first, but the bromance was strong.