It’s been a heavy month in the news cycle. Between devastating natural disasters and a string of heartbreaking celebrity deaths, it’s no surprise people are avoiding the headlines to try and steer clear of the doom and gloom of the world.
However, it’s important to acknowledge the countless positive news stories you might have missed that restore faith in humanity and celebrate the little wins across the world. We’ve rounded up three positive headlines from the past few weeks that will (hopefully) provide some light in these significantly dark times.
The world’s oldest living person turns 117
English woman Ethel Caterham celebrated her 117th birthday on August 21, keeping her title as the world’s oldest living person.
The supercentenarian, whose husband and two daughters have predeceased her but has three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, has held the title since April 2025. She is also the oldest British person in recorded history and the last surviving person born in the 1900s decade.
Caterham said in a statement that her secret to living a long life was simple: “Never arguing with anyone, I listen, and I do what I like.” Well said, queen!
A 66-year-old skateboarder sets a Guinness World Record
Speaking of record-breaking women, 66-year-old Judi Oyama set an official Guinness World Record this week as the world’s oldest female competitive skateboarder.
The Californian started skateboarding at 13 before turning professional in 1975, and was inducted into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame in 2018. Oyama originally set the record at the age of 64 in 2024, and plans to extend it again at the World Skate Games in October.
For anyone hoping to break records in their personal life, Oyama has some words of advice: “Don’t listen to the negative people. Hang out with people that support your goals and will help you achieve your goals.”
World-first transplant helps blind woman see
Ocular surgeon Michele Reibaldi has completed a world-first surgery in Turin, Italy: a complete transplant of the macula, cornea, sclera, and connective tissue from one patient’s eye to the other. The surgery has allowed 67-year-old Elena, who lost her eyesight in a car accident, to see again.
Turin-based newspaper La Stampa reported that the six-hour surgery has now given the patient enough vision to recognise both her son and her guide dog after being blind for over five years.
Livio Tranchida, general director of Città della Salute, said in the translated article that it was “an unprecedented, borderline impossible operation”.
“Thanks to our professionals who were the protagonists of this miracle, but above all who once again welcomed the fragility of our patients, especially Elena, who will now be able to see the world again accompanied by her dog Joe.”
It’s important to celebrate the small victories in life, so if you’re based in Sydney or Melbourne, you can enter PEDESTRIAN.TV and Vitasoy’s first-of-its-kind competition acknowledging your little wins. Think hidden bars with unbelievable views, or a bakery that loves to hand out freebies at the end of the day.
Simply head HERE to submit your little win by September 18 and join our Little Wins Collective, cementing your latest joy on our interactive map. Oh, and you’ll also have a chance to win from our whopping $3K prize pool.
This was brought to you by our mates at Vitasoy Australia.
