originally posted on 10-03-2020 11:59 AM

@Janine-RO I LOVE HER

Also yes that is the stuff that memes are made of. 

originally posted on 16-03-2020 1:01 PM

We've all been hearing so much news this year. It can get pretty overwhelming, so we continue to use this thread as a space where you can consume some uplifting news. 

In times like this it's really important to remember the power of human spirit and kindness. 

Just in the past few days there have been so many stories that have highlighted the creative ways people are staying connected and showing solidarity while staying indoors to help combat the spread of COVID-19.

In Spain a fitness instructor has been giving people a workout from their balconies here 

A couple in the U.K have started a "viral kindness" campaign to help people in self-isolation with practical tasks and connection. Since 87 groups have formed to help and also to give calls to people, read more here. 

Balcony singing has taken off in Italy to boost morale - there are some amazing videos here. 

An Australian volunteer run restaurant called Lentil As Anything are arranging meal deliveries to people in quarantine here

originally posted on 16-03-2020 1:19 PM

@Bre-RO I don't have a link but apparently recently stuff went wrong in a wine factory, causing wine to spill into a town's water supply.

Everyone was thrilled.

Except for the wine company...

originally posted on 16-03-2020 2:19 PM

Hahaha @Tiny_leaf how unfortunate for the wine company - I'm sure people stuck at home were cheering 

originally posted on 16-03-2020 3:26 PM

Also, just found out about this Social Distancing Festival which has been created for artists everywhere to have a place to showcase their work. 

originally posted on 17-03-2020 9:55 AM

@Bre-RO  I love that idea so much, it's brilliant! I know a lot of people in the arts communities are going to be doing it really tough with so many major events being cancelled, but I'm loving the innovation and sense of community that is also starting to shine through. 

My good news story for today is in a similar vein - this article focuses on all of the wonderful random acts of kindness that people have been doing in their communities. 

"

"Neighbourhood buddy systems are springing up across Melbourne as the coronavirus pandemic brings out the best in human nature.

While scenes of fighting over toilet paper and empty supermarket shelves have shown people at their worst, acts of kindness are becoming more common as people reach out to help the elderly and others in need.

People are offering to do shopping, run errands, collect medicine, borrow library books and DVDs and other support during periods of COVID-19 self-isolation or supermarket shortages caused by panic buying." 

To read the rest of the story, click here 

I have signed up on a FB group I'm a part of to offer to get groceries, home essentials, or run errands for anyone in my neighbourhood who's not able to leave their house - I am loving seeing so many communities coming together, and realising that it truly is small acts of human kindness that can make a really big difference to how we all cope in a really challenging time. 

It reminds me of this quote, which I've seen circulating again recently..

There are always people helping  

originally posted on 17-03-2020 10:04 AM

I love that quote @Janine-RO :') The light in the dark is definitely how communities come together. Funny that sometimes it's these tough times remind us how much us humans need each other. Feeling very grateful for the spirit of humankind this morning and especially for all the brave healthcare workers around the world! 

originally posted on 17-03-2020 12:52 PM

Absolutely @Bre-RO . I've been thinking a lot of all of the amazing frontline health care workers around the world (including some of my loved ones) - they are absolute heroes in my book. 

One more that I thought people here might enjoy! 

Some Japanese primary school students had their graduation ceremony cancelled due to COVID-19. 

They decided to find another way - and took it on themselves to design an entire graduation hall on minecraft, then all gathered together and held their "graduation" on a minecraft server instead. 

Full story is here 

I love the creativity, problem solving, and happy smile on that little guy's face as he "graduates" with his class. 

originally posted on 17-03-2020 12:58 PM

@Janine-RO that's amazing!

originally posted on 17-03-2020 1:12 PM

@Tiny_leaf  isn't it awesome! 

I love the screenshots, and how happy the kids look. Minecraft sometimes gets a really bad rap among parents, but I really like how it encourages creativity like this (my bigger kid plays but only in creative mode 🙂 ) I also love how a group of 11 year olds showed so much ingenuity and creativity that it's now gone viral and is making people smile all over the world 🙂 

Some more nice images here 

originally posted on 23-03-2020 2:49 PM

Hey guys, I know that I have been pretty desperate for some good news over the last few days, so I thought I would share a few of the things that have warmed my heart lately here: 

This first one is from one of our gorgeous colleagues at ReachOut, she shared this via email with us all today and these are her words:

"Thank you from the deepest of my heart & soul to all those doctors, nurses, police staff, army soldiers, airline staff, chemist shops and all those working selflessly in this time of global crisis. God bless the world

I also found this beautiful article about random acts of kindness that have been happening during the COVID-19 outbreak. 

There are so many gems on that page, one of my favourites is a team of people in Italy who worked out how to make new valves for respirators using a 3D printer

And this beautiful image of primary school students who are making hand-made cards to send to people in isolation

And the final one made me shed a little tear - this husband celebrating his 67th wedding anniversary with his wife, even though they couldn't be physically together

Has anyone else seen any good news stories that they'd like to share? 

originally posted on 23-03-2020 3:05 PM

Hey guys, I don't normally do this but thought I'd tag in some people who may like some good news stories - and I would also LOVE to read any that you might like to share! I just remembered one more that I will post a bit later too. 

@Tiny_leaf  @Rattata  @MB95  @Anonymous  @xXLexi_Lou122Xx  @trashconverters  @liv1611  @Hozzles  @WheresMySquishy @scared01  @Tay100  @Bananatime04 

originally posted on 24-03-2020 12:36 PM

@Janine-RO thanks so much for the tag, I can't wait to see what unfolds here 🙂

originally posted on 24-03-2020 1:33 PM

I just had to share this one here -if you have a spare 3-4 minutes and some headphones, I highly recommend watching this video!!

Pub Choir is a community organisation based in Brisbane, and they usually do live singing events at pubs (there's similar groups in Sydney too). They weren't about to let such a beautiful shared experience be ruined by a pandemic, so they decided to do a virtual sing-along. People were able to learn the harmonies, then recorded themselves singing, and suddenly, 2 days later, they had created this masterpiece . 1000 people, from all over Australia and other place in the world, singing close to you. 

Here's the video

And here is the story link if you want to read more about this fabulous project - I am hoping to be involved in the next one! 

I also love seeing how this is spreading all over social media, and raising so many people's spirits. So good. 

originally posted on 25-03-2020 11:57 AM

Hey guys - you may already have seen this, as it went viral over the last few days, but I had to share it here for anyone who may have missed it! 

Melbourne Zoo have been running several live streams on their website so people can enjoy seeing the cute animals while they're in isolation - this legend of a zookeeper decided to give everyone a bit of a treat  

I love how it's now spread across the globe - this is a BBC story about it. Pretty good for a guy who had good moves, a rainbow fan, and decided to have some fun and spread some joy at work 😄

originally posted on 16-03-2020 1:44 PM

@Tiny_leaf  wait, so wine actually went into the town's water supply?? It sounds like a scene from a movie, I can completely understand the wine company not being entirely thrilled (and I would imagine that watered down wine that's been through pipes may not be so lovely anyway!)

I just found a link - looks like a very surreal day!! Thanks for sharing that one!

https://www.insider.com/red-wine-flowed-from-taps-village-modena-italy-2020-3

originally posted on 16-03-2020 12:16 PM

Hey all! 

I don't know about you guys, but I have been finding myself seeking out as many good news stories as I can lately. 

Here's two I really loved and wanted to share here! 

This first one is a flyover done in Italy, to the music of "Nessun Dorma", for no other reason than to uplift and spread hope among people who are currently in quarantine. I highly recommend watching this one with the sound turned up!!!

Italy video

#Repost: @pennylovellstylist
・・・
While Italy is on quarantine, the Italian Air Force flies a single jet, representing the virus, to meet other jets that stream the colors of the Italian flag while Pavoratti's Nessun Dorma that has the lyrics "we shall overcome" plays. Sound up and 😭😭😭 🇮🇹. (Via @girlsreallyrule1 on Twitter) #italianairforce #weshallovercome

Nessun Dorma sing alongs and plane 

 And in a similar vein, there's been a lot of stories going viral about Italians lifting each other' s spirits with sing-alongs across their balconies, while they are at home being quarantined. 

This is a nice wrap up here

Italy Siena sing alongs

It feels like a week where good news stories could be really helpful - does anyone else have any they'd like to share? We would love to read them!!  

originally posted on 07-01-2020 3:31 PM

@MB95  I'm glad that story resonated with you, I thought it was such a simple, but brilliant, idea. 

I did a bit of digging and found a hashtag that they use on twitter, #DecemberLetters, that the organiser of the project uses. It looks like she's a mental health advocate with a lot of lived experience - it started in Melbourne but there's now people writing and sending cards from all over Australia. There's a short video on it here

https://youtu.be/fdLT6W642dU

originally posted on 30-12-2019 1:20 PM

This thread is amazing guys!! 😍

@Janine-RO I think your post about the handwritten christmas cards is my favourite - really touched my heart. I wonder how we can get involved.. 

originally posted on 24-12-2019 10:48 PM

I thought this would be a sweet news story to share, especially since cherries are my favourite fruit :)) 

The Cherry season in Tassie was delayed because of the cold weather, but because of it they've had the best season in years, and just in time for the holidays 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2019-12-20/cherry-season-in-tasmania-delayed/11811212

originally posted on 16-12-2019 5:17 PM

originally posted on 05-07-2019 1:14 AM

Great topic!

A story that proves that it's never too late to find love.
Another good turtle story.

originally posted on 05-07-2019 1:38 AM

@WheresMySquishy oh my gosh another turtle story!!!!