My fiancée, God bless her, always seems to tell me first about the “bad” news making headlines.
So I do my best at the Whimsy desk to report some good.
Because like most people she cares deeply about the world we all live in.
It only makes sense, however, that most of my fiancée’s latest bulletins are full of heartache.
Terrorist attacks in France, a failed coup in Turkey, police shootings and racism in America and whatever turmoil the Middle East always suffers.
Throw in the cold, wet winter and it’s difficult not to cop the occasional bout of dreariness.
But this week there have been a few stories that have made me smile.
They might not have made the front page.
They might not have even made the first sentence.
Though look at Nicole Jongebloed, above, in a café and ready to serve.
She stood out in a piece for Warrnambool’s The Standard on assistance for those with down syndrome to study and work.
Manager Sarah Sofronluc praised Nicole for her reliability and joy she took for making customers feel welcome.
What about Ararat’s Jerry Koschel, in Wednesday’s Ballarat Courier and Ararat Advertiser, who spent six months crocheting clothing for The Salvation Army?
Salvo captain Greg Turnbull said the donation was “appreciated so much”.
And by the Murray former newsagent John Richards had a student accommodation centre named after him for his years as a benefactor to health services.
They are but a handful of everyday people who through grit and toil have satisfied a need to do some good.
For themselves, and for us all.
Chris O’Leary
