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Australia’s Oldest Man Knits Tiny Sweaters For Injured Penguins
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Australia’s Oldest Man Knits Tiny Sweaters For Injured Penguins

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How long does it take to master a craft? How about 80 years? Because 109-year-old Australian Alfred Date has been knitting since the 1930s and his latest/most famous endeavor was making mini sweaters… for endangered penguins!

Back in 2013, Victoria’s Phillip Island Penguin Foundation asked for volunteers to make sweaters for the rare “little penguins.” Alfie, who has yet to learn to say no, pitched in. Knitted penguin jumpers play an important role in saving little penguins affected by oil pollution.

Father to 7, grandparent to 20, he’s not only been an active knitter, but also a sportsman, having played golf till his 90’s.

His secret for longevity? “Waking up every morning”. See, he’s a joker, too!

More info: Phillip Island Penguin Foundation (h/t: ninemsnmashable)

Image credits: PenguinFoundation

Image credits: ninemsn

Image credits: ninemsn

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 avatar
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Alfie you are amazing, love you're mini penguin jumpers xxx

jidanshousi avatar
JoannaNg
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Urm... No offence but "your" not "you're". "You're" is the abbreviated form of "You are".

Load More Replies...
julia_w_wolfe avatar
JuliaWolfe
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is less thanhalf a story. Why does he do this? How does it help the penguins? How do they get injured? How are they rehabilitated? etc.

MindyJenkins3 avatar
MindyJenkins
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you click on the link it takes you to the site that explains why they wear the sweaters.

Load More Replies...
54ca88beeadc6 avatar
BorderCollieLover13
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's so cute and totally giving me ideas for when I get 109 years young

mollyadams1990 avatar
MollyAdams
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey I'm just gonna "wake up every morning" forever, then!! Yay!

eliston avatar
ElizabethGardner
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

he is an amazing man and featured recently on TV still going strong I hope he has many more years and continues to knit for our little penguins till they recover.

keyword_bookmarks avatar
Keyword Bookmarks
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are really amazing and valuable websites you have shared with us. Thanks for the informative post.. www.KeywordBookmarks.com

jenniferbohner avatar
Jenny Whitford
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thanks, Alfred. The little penguins are worthy recipients of your kindness. Knitting rules! xxx

jenniferbohner avatar
Jenny Whitford
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, well done, you, Alfred. What a champ. Helping the little penguins. They are little treasures. And so is Alfred. xxx

dina-albadawi avatar
Dina AlBadawi
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

https://grist.org/living/please-dont-knit-a-sweater-for-a-penguin/

emilejumean avatar
Emile Jumean
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How utterly precious! Go grampa go! You rock, you sweater superstar you!

wunderlabel avatar
Wunderlabel
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is there anything cuter than a penguin in a sweater? This sweetheart knits better than me!

monique_gruber_54 avatar
MoniqueGruber
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It´s time to get going... if we want to grow that old! who will join me?

dianahockley avatar
DianaHockley
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such a small volunteer job which means a great deal to this gentle man and to the tiny birds he is helping.

 avatar
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Vous êtes un homme merveilleux. Je vous aime pour ce que vous êtes et ce que vous faites. Kiss of France

norma_obrien_98 avatar
NormaO'Brien
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The jumpers are just fabulous and the Penguins are just the cutest I've ever seen. Well done people for saving little penguins

rameygilman avatar
KathyGilman
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are adorable! How'd he get them to line up for a group photo like that? :)

annagsalerno avatar
AnnaSalerno
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, I love this. Kudos to this elderly gentleman for his adorable hobby and efforts to warm up these awesome birds!

georgiev avatar
GeorgieV
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a Wonderful Person. He is my inspiration to live a long and productive life. God Bless Him and his "Little Sweatered Friends."

maudlin_morose_1 avatar
MaudlinMorose
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He looks like he could be related to Ellen Degeneris. Maybe that's where he gets his sense of humour. A nice man.

maudlin_morose_1 avatar
MaudlinMorose
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He is a nice man to help the injured penguins. And he's funny too.

maryellen_jaynes_7 avatar
MaryellenJaynes
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love it! well done, hope you keep waking up each morning, the world needs more people like you

lynn_stinten avatar
LynnStinten
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Go Alfie, you are doing a fabulous job mate, keep up the great work.

gmcallis avatar
gmcallis
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think he's awesome - and for all you English grammarians, get over it - this isn't grammar school - it's the content that matters

DingoElGringo avatar
DingoElGringo
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How totally ridiculous can one get when they turn senile? Penguins live outside in below zero weather F. Why in a hot place like Australia

riodellori avatar
Lori Rafdal
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some penguin species live in actual tropical locations where it never snows. Some even live in burrows, some are crossing roads to make nests near cities, under houses and in gardens. I'm not being rude but simply replying to your questions and I've verified these facts (which may surprise many folks!)

Load More Replies...
Chengwatana4est avatar
Chengwatana4est
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this man is terrific. Still active with mind, hands, and a heart for animals. I wish I could speak with him.

chachkimooch avatar
chachkimooch
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

lol! I looked at the photo and thought: "OMG! What cuties!" Then I realized they were stuffed toys! Cute sweaters though!

irene_carlyle_39 avatar
IreneCarlyle
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Alfie, you're wonderful! love your sweaters--keep waking up every morning!! (also, ihope yu ignore all the gammer geeks.

rosemaryturpin avatar
RosemaryTurpin
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And I would guess that the penguin on the far right is a Pittsburgh Penguin!

rosemaryturpin avatar
RosemaryTurpin
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a wonderful, kind idea! I hope the pattern for those sweaters is published somewhere. I don`t knit, but others would, esp. in Austral

ilcd_tacnacs avatar
IlcdTacnacs
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

great photo and story................now for the phucking person correcting grammar..... your or your're an a*s hole

icecreamgigi1107 avatar
icecreamgigi1107
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

thats so nice! ur helping all these defenseless animals! and ur good @ knitting

nannyoggrules avatar
ShonaCochran
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But they aren't real penguins? Where's the pics of the real penguins wearing the jumpers?

helgakantorek avatar
HelgaKantorek
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

who the heck cares whether there is a spelling mistake??? I admire this man for his compassion, not for his spelling !!!!

mychemcantgetenuff avatar
MyChemCantgetenuff
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And Christian, while we're talking about "corrupted forms": it's "its corrupted form", not "it's".

angelinalejeune avatar
ANGELINALEJEUNE
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

http://abcnews.go.com/International/International/tiny-penguins-tiny-sweaters/story?id=28886035

julie_ruffy_1 avatar
JulieRuffy
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lovely story but Alfie is probably wondering what a "sweater" is. I'm sure he thinks he has been knitting jumpers for the penguins.

elise_willingham1 avatar
EliseWillingham
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Alfred Date, you are an amazing man! The sweaters you knit are one of a kind- I love the style you incorporate. These are lucky birds <3

donella_andersen avatar
DonellaAndersen
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Post the pattern and where we should send them to. I would love to knit some

no. avatar
no.
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did anyone else notice how their stuffed animal penguins?

oca123 avatar
oca123
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

you need to go to snopes.com...this story is incomplete at best

marion_whyman avatar
MarionWhyman
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This gives the impression that this wonderful man knitted all the pictured sweaters. He did knit sweaters, but not those. Read the links.

ayla_underwood avatar
AylaUnderwood
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

such beautiful and creative sweaters! LOVE this! only wish we knew more about the little penguins... :(

ronaaldo avatar
Ronald Chung
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

His knit in his hand is different from the outfits. The outfits appear to be machine knitted, like a used glove or thick sock. Open your eyes people.

 avatar
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Alfie you are amazing, love you're mini penguin jumpers xxx

jidanshousi avatar
JoannaNg
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Urm... No offence but "your" not "you're". "You're" is the abbreviated form of "You are".

Load More Replies...
julia_w_wolfe avatar
JuliaWolfe
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is less thanhalf a story. Why does he do this? How does it help the penguins? How do they get injured? How are they rehabilitated? etc.

MindyJenkins3 avatar
MindyJenkins
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you click on the link it takes you to the site that explains why they wear the sweaters.

Load More Replies...
54ca88beeadc6 avatar
BorderCollieLover13
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's so cute and totally giving me ideas for when I get 109 years young

mollyadams1990 avatar
MollyAdams
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey I'm just gonna "wake up every morning" forever, then!! Yay!

eliston avatar
ElizabethGardner
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

he is an amazing man and featured recently on TV still going strong I hope he has many more years and continues to knit for our little penguins till they recover.

keyword_bookmarks avatar
Keyword Bookmarks
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are really amazing and valuable websites you have shared with us. Thanks for the informative post.. www.KeywordBookmarks.com

jenniferbohner avatar
Jenny Whitford
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thanks, Alfred. The little penguins are worthy recipients of your kindness. Knitting rules! xxx

jenniferbohner avatar
Jenny Whitford
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, well done, you, Alfred. What a champ. Helping the little penguins. They are little treasures. And so is Alfred. xxx

dina-albadawi avatar
Dina AlBadawi
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

https://grist.org/living/please-dont-knit-a-sweater-for-a-penguin/

emilejumean avatar
Emile Jumean
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How utterly precious! Go grampa go! You rock, you sweater superstar you!

wunderlabel avatar
Wunderlabel
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is there anything cuter than a penguin in a sweater? This sweetheart knits better than me!

monique_gruber_54 avatar
MoniqueGruber
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It´s time to get going... if we want to grow that old! who will join me?

dianahockley avatar
DianaHockley
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such a small volunteer job which means a great deal to this gentle man and to the tiny birds he is helping.

 avatar
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Vous êtes un homme merveilleux. Je vous aime pour ce que vous êtes et ce que vous faites. Kiss of France

norma_obrien_98 avatar
NormaO'Brien
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The jumpers are just fabulous and the Penguins are just the cutest I've ever seen. Well done people for saving little penguins

rameygilman avatar
KathyGilman
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are adorable! How'd he get them to line up for a group photo like that? :)

annagsalerno avatar
AnnaSalerno
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, I love this. Kudos to this elderly gentleman for his adorable hobby and efforts to warm up these awesome birds!

georgiev avatar
GeorgieV
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a Wonderful Person. He is my inspiration to live a long and productive life. God Bless Him and his "Little Sweatered Friends."

maudlin_morose_1 avatar
MaudlinMorose
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He looks like he could be related to Ellen Degeneris. Maybe that's where he gets his sense of humour. A nice man.

maudlin_morose_1 avatar
MaudlinMorose
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He is a nice man to help the injured penguins. And he's funny too.

maryellen_jaynes_7 avatar
MaryellenJaynes
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love it! well done, hope you keep waking up each morning, the world needs more people like you

lynn_stinten avatar
LynnStinten
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Go Alfie, you are doing a fabulous job mate, keep up the great work.

gmcallis avatar
gmcallis
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think he's awesome - and for all you English grammarians, get over it - this isn't grammar school - it's the content that matters

DingoElGringo avatar
DingoElGringo
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How totally ridiculous can one get when they turn senile? Penguins live outside in below zero weather F. Why in a hot place like Australia

riodellori avatar
Lori Rafdal
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some penguin species live in actual tropical locations where it never snows. Some even live in burrows, some are crossing roads to make nests near cities, under houses and in gardens. I'm not being rude but simply replying to your questions and I've verified these facts (which may surprise many folks!)

Load More Replies...
Chengwatana4est avatar
Chengwatana4est
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this man is terrific. Still active with mind, hands, and a heart for animals. I wish I could speak with him.

chachkimooch avatar
chachkimooch
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

lol! I looked at the photo and thought: "OMG! What cuties!" Then I realized they were stuffed toys! Cute sweaters though!

irene_carlyle_39 avatar
IreneCarlyle
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Alfie, you're wonderful! love your sweaters--keep waking up every morning!! (also, ihope yu ignore all the gammer geeks.

rosemaryturpin avatar
RosemaryTurpin
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And I would guess that the penguin on the far right is a Pittsburgh Penguin!

rosemaryturpin avatar
RosemaryTurpin
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a wonderful, kind idea! I hope the pattern for those sweaters is published somewhere. I don`t knit, but others would, esp. in Austral

ilcd_tacnacs avatar
IlcdTacnacs
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

great photo and story................now for the phucking person correcting grammar..... your or your're an a*s hole

icecreamgigi1107 avatar
icecreamgigi1107
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

thats so nice! ur helping all these defenseless animals! and ur good @ knitting

nannyoggrules avatar
ShonaCochran
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But they aren't real penguins? Where's the pics of the real penguins wearing the jumpers?

helgakantorek avatar
HelgaKantorek
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

who the heck cares whether there is a spelling mistake??? I admire this man for his compassion, not for his spelling !!!!

mychemcantgetenuff avatar
MyChemCantgetenuff
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And Christian, while we're talking about "corrupted forms": it's "its corrupted form", not "it's".

angelinalejeune avatar
ANGELINALEJEUNE
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

http://abcnews.go.com/International/International/tiny-penguins-tiny-sweaters/story?id=28886035

julie_ruffy_1 avatar
JulieRuffy
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lovely story but Alfie is probably wondering what a "sweater" is. I'm sure he thinks he has been knitting jumpers for the penguins.

elise_willingham1 avatar
EliseWillingham
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Alfred Date, you are an amazing man! The sweaters you knit are one of a kind- I love the style you incorporate. These are lucky birds <3

donella_andersen avatar
DonellaAndersen
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Post the pattern and where we should send them to. I would love to knit some

no. avatar
no.
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did anyone else notice how their stuffed animal penguins?

oca123 avatar
oca123
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

you need to go to snopes.com...this story is incomplete at best

marion_whyman avatar
MarionWhyman
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This gives the impression that this wonderful man knitted all the pictured sweaters. He did knit sweaters, but not those. Read the links.

ayla_underwood avatar
AylaUnderwood
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

such beautiful and creative sweaters! LOVE this! only wish we knew more about the little penguins... :(

ronaaldo avatar
Ronald Chung
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

His knit in his hand is different from the outfits. The outfits appear to be machine knitted, like a used glove or thick sock. Open your eyes people.

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