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Australia’s Oldest Man Knits Tiny Sweaters For Injured Penguins

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: ninemsn, mashable)

oldest-man-australia-knits-penguin-sweaters-1

Image credits: PenguinFoundation

oldest-man-australia-knits-penguin-sweaters-3

Image credits: ninemsn

oldest-man-australia-knits-penguin-sweaters-2

Image credits: ninemsn

360Kviews

Pandas don't get any lazier than this.

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Pandas don't get any lazier than this.

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What do you think ?

POST

Pemberton 9 years ago

Penguin wearing Penguin Books cover. I love it!

36points

JohnHildyard-Todd 9 years ago

Yes brilliant isn't it. Also like the superman outfit but with a "P" for penguin on it.

9points

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9 years ago

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

24points

JoannaNg 9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

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CelineDufraiche 9 years ago

Beautiful.

10points

JuliaWolfe 9 years ago

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.

9points

MindyJenkins 9 years ago

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

10points

Load More Replies...

NikkiCrawford 9 years ago

Very clearly at end of text says "more info" with links... This is how just about every website does it...

5points

DonnaTritz 9 years ago

They put them on penguins that have been in oil spills after they've been cleaned so they can't preen their feathers & ingest the toxic oil.

1point

DonnaTritz 9 years ago

they put the sweaters on penguins wHi have been cleaned up after being in aN oil spill so they can't preen & ingest remnants of toxic oil.

0points

JeanneDeaux 9 years ago

An amazing man.

8points

TrudyPortman 9 years ago

What a sweet stort...I love it.

7points

SusieSullivan 9 years ago

Bravo

5points

Rhon 9 years ago

Alfie, you are a beautiful man.

4points

JoniSorsen 9 years ago

Awesome!

4points

BorderCollieLover13 9 years ago

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

3points

MeggieWard 9 years ago

He has a serious sense of humor!

3points

AimeeLie 9 years ago

Very cute indeed!

2points

TheAgeofHappiness 9 years ago

Amazing man and amazing story!

2points

MollyAdams 9 years ago

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

2points

ElizabethGardner 8 years ago

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.

1point

Keyword Bookmarks 4 years ago

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

0points

Thomas Brantingham 4 years ago

How cute

0points

Jenny Whitford 4 years ago

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

0points

Jenny Whitford 4 years ago

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

0points

Dina AlBadawi 4 years ago

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

0points

Lisa Chaikin-Johnston 4 years ago

So cool to do this for Penguins!!

0points

Emile Jumean 4 years ago

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

0points

Wunderlabel 8 years ago

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

0points

MoniqueGruber 9 years ago

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

0points

DianaHockley 9 years ago

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

0points

Roswitha 9 years ago

ALLE ACHTUNG

0points

WhineyAhnitaThoresen 9 years ago

there just darling!

0points

AliceHusted 9 years ago

So cute!

0points

KyleEaton 9 years ago

Those penguins look a lot like stuffed animals...

0points

lili 9 years ago

heart worming <3

0points

9 years ago

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

0points

NormaO'Brien 9 years ago

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

0points

DavidIsham 9 years ago

Heartwarming.

0points

AnnieChapman 9 years ago

What a lovely, lovely man!

0points

KathyGilman 9 years ago

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

0points

AnnaSalerno 9 years ago

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

0points

GeorgieV 9 years ago

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

0points

MaudlinMorose 9 years ago

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

0points

MaudlinMorose 9 years ago

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

0points

RafathMohsin 9 years ago

excellent spirit...

0points

RafathMohsin 9 years ago

excellent...

0points

MaryellenJaynes 9 years ago

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

0points

LynnStinten 9 years ago

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

0points

CarolynBabor 9 years ago

That is GREAT ! Love what you are doing !

0points

NancyCohen 9 years ago

can I marry him

0points

NancyCohen 9 years ago

can I marry him?

0points

9 years ago

That's awesome!!!

0points

AngelitaWhite 9 years ago

Love it... so generous old man :)

0points

EsthiSigner 9 years ago

So admirable, what a dedicated and talented gentleman!

0points

gmcallis 9 years ago

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

0points

JoeHoehn 9 years ago

Totally inspired by this dear ol chap!

0points

DingoElGringo 9 years ago

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

0points

Lori Rafdal 4 years ago

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!)

0points

Load More Replies...

Chengwatana4est 9 years ago

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

0points

MarilynStratton-zimmer 9 years ago

wonderful!

0points

kyoungwilliams 9 years ago

Amazing!

0points

CameronChesson 9 years ago

What an inspiration!

0points

chachkimooch 9 years ago

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

0points

IreneCarlyle 9 years ago

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

0points

Marcos 9 years ago

Great attitude!

0points

RosemaryTurpin 9 years ago

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

0points

RosemaryTurpin 9 years ago

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

0points

VincentRacicot 9 years ago

This is awesome Utilitarian Fashion! :D

0points

IlcdTacnacs 9 years ago

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

0points

DianaCovell 9 years ago

WHAT A SPECIAL MAN TO DO THIS AT HIS AGE!!! BLESS HIM.

0points

icecreamgigi1107 9 years ago

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

0points

WewerClever 9 years ago

superpenguin:)

0points

ShonaCochran 9 years ago

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

0points

ClarePomfrett 9 years ago

Brilliant. What a man and the jumpers are gorgeous.

0points

ZoeSchwartz 9 years ago

Love

0points

HelgaKantorek 9 years ago

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

0points

MarnieRobbins 9 years ago

Great!

0points

MyChemCantgetenuff 9 years ago

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

0points

TiggyGrafton 9 years ago

Awwwwwwww

0points

ANGELINALEJEUNE 9 years ago

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

0points

JulieRuffy 9 years ago

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

0points

BeckyFilo 9 years ago

This makes me so incredibly happy.

0points

EliseWillingham 9 years ago

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

0points

SusannaVesna 9 years ago

Aww! Post more pictures!

0points

DonellaAndersen 9 years ago

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

0points

no. 9 years ago

Did anyone else notice how their stuffed animal penguins?

0points

oca123 9 years ago

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

0points

MartinFrostevall 9 years ago

Looks alot like stuffed animal pengins don't they? =)

0points

MarionWhyman 9 years ago

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

0points

BarbaraDeMaio 9 years ago

This is absolutly beautiful.

0points

CarlyMathiot 9 years ago

those are fake penguins...

0points

JuliaMyers 9 years ago

He doesn't even wear glasses!

0points

MarcelaCorona 9 years ago

¡Hermoso!

0points

AylaUnderwood 9 years ago

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

0points

JuliaWolfe 9 years ago

Those are fake penguins in the picture.

0points

Ronald Chung 4 years ago

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.

-1point

POST

Pemberton 9 years ago

Penguin wearing Penguin Books cover. I love it!

36points

JohnHildyard-Todd 9 years ago

Yes brilliant isn't it. Also like the superman outfit but with a "P" for penguin on it.

9points

Load More Replies...

9 years ago

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

24points

JoannaNg 9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Load More Replies...

CelineDufraiche 9 years ago

Beautiful.

10points

JuliaWolfe 9 years ago

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.

9points

MindyJenkins 9 years ago

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

10points

Load More Replies...

NikkiCrawford 9 years ago

Very clearly at end of text says "more info" with links... This is how just about every website does it...

5points

DonnaTritz 9 years ago

They put them on penguins that have been in oil spills after they've been cleaned so they can't preen their feathers & ingest the toxic oil.

1point

DonnaTritz 9 years ago

they put the sweaters on penguins wHi have been cleaned up after being in aN oil spill so they can't preen & ingest remnants of toxic oil.

0points

JeanneDeaux 9 years ago

An amazing man.

8points

TrudyPortman 9 years ago

What a sweet stort...I love it.

7points

SusieSullivan 9 years ago

Bravo

5points

Rhon 9 years ago

Alfie, you are a beautiful man.

4points

JoniSorsen 9 years ago

Awesome!

4points

BorderCollieLover13 9 years ago

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

3points

MeggieWard 9 years ago

He has a serious sense of humor!

3points

AimeeLie 9 years ago

Very cute indeed!

2points

TheAgeofHappiness 9 years ago

Amazing man and amazing story!

2points

MollyAdams 9 years ago

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

2points

ElizabethGardner 8 years ago

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.

1point

Keyword Bookmarks 4 years ago

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

0points

Thomas Brantingham 4 years ago

How cute

0points

Jenny Whitford 4 years ago

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

0points

Jenny Whitford 4 years ago

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

0points

Dina AlBadawi 4 years ago

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

0points

Lisa Chaikin-Johnston 4 years ago

So cool to do this for Penguins!!

0points

Emile Jumean 4 years ago

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

0points

Wunderlabel 8 years ago

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

0points

MoniqueGruber 9 years ago

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

0points

DianaHockley 9 years ago

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

0points

Roswitha 9 years ago

ALLE ACHTUNG

0points

WhineyAhnitaThoresen 9 years ago

there just darling!

0points

AliceHusted 9 years ago

So cute!

0points

KyleEaton 9 years ago

Those penguins look a lot like stuffed animals...

0points

lili 9 years ago

heart worming <3

0points

9 years ago

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

0points

NormaO'Brien 9 years ago

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

0points

DavidIsham 9 years ago

Heartwarming.

0points

AnnieChapman 9 years ago

What a lovely, lovely man!

0points

KathyGilman 9 years ago

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

0points

AnnaSalerno 9 years ago

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

0points

GeorgieV 9 years ago

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

0points

MaudlinMorose 9 years ago

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

0points

MaudlinMorose 9 years ago

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

0points

RafathMohsin 9 years ago

excellent spirit...

0points

RafathMohsin 9 years ago

excellent...

0points

MaryellenJaynes 9 years ago

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

0points

LynnStinten 9 years ago

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

0points

CarolynBabor 9 years ago

That is GREAT ! Love what you are doing !

0points

NancyCohen 9 years ago

can I marry him

0points

NancyCohen 9 years ago

can I marry him?

0points

9 years ago

That's awesome!!!

0points

AngelitaWhite 9 years ago

Love it... so generous old man :)

0points

EsthiSigner 9 years ago

So admirable, what a dedicated and talented gentleman!

0points

gmcallis 9 years ago

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

0points

JoeHoehn 9 years ago

Totally inspired by this dear ol chap!

0points

DingoElGringo 9 years ago

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

0points

Lori Rafdal 4 years ago

0points

Load More Replies...

Chengwatana4est 9 years ago

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

0points

MarilynStratton-zimmer 9 years ago

wonderful!

0points

kyoungwilliams 9 years ago

Amazing!

0points

CameronChesson 9 years ago

What an inspiration!

0points

chachkimooch 9 years ago

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

0points

IreneCarlyle 9 years ago

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

0points

Marcos 9 years ago

Great attitude!

0points

RosemaryTurpin 9 years ago

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

0points

RosemaryTurpin 9 years ago

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

0points

VincentRacicot 9 years ago

This is awesome Utilitarian Fashion! :D

0points

IlcdTacnacs 9 years ago

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

0points

DianaCovell 9 years ago

WHAT A SPECIAL MAN TO DO THIS AT HIS AGE!!! BLESS HIM.

0points

icecreamgigi1107 9 years ago

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

0points

WewerClever 9 years ago

superpenguin:)

0points

ShonaCochran 9 years ago

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

0points

ClarePomfrett 9 years ago

Brilliant. What a man and the jumpers are gorgeous.

0points

ZoeSchwartz 9 years ago

Love

0points

HelgaKantorek 9 years ago

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

0points

MarnieRobbins 9 years ago

Great!

0points

MyChemCantgetenuff 9 years ago

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

0points

TiggyGrafton 9 years ago

Awwwwwwww

0points

ANGELINALEJEUNE 9 years ago

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

0points

JulieRuffy 9 years ago

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

0points

BeckyFilo 9 years ago

This makes me so incredibly happy.

0points

EliseWillingham 9 years ago

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

0points

SusannaVesna 9 years ago

Aww! Post more pictures!

0points

DonellaAndersen 9 years ago

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

0points

no. 9 years ago

Did anyone else notice how their stuffed animal penguins?

0points

oca123 9 years ago

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

0points

MartinFrostevall 9 years ago

Looks alot like stuffed animal pengins don't they? =)

0points

MarionWhyman 9 years ago

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

0points

BarbaraDeMaio 9 years ago

This is absolutly beautiful.

0points

CarlyMathiot 9 years ago

those are fake penguins...

0points

JuliaMyers 9 years ago

He doesn't even wear glasses!

0points

MarcelaCorona 9 years ago

¡Hermoso!

0points

AylaUnderwood 9 years ago

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

0points

JuliaWolfe 9 years ago

Those are fake penguins in the picture.

0points

Ronald Chung 4 years ago

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.

-1point

Australia’s Oldest Man Knits Tiny Sweaters For Injured Penguins

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