Thursday Edition

Good morning

Well, well, if it isn’t my favourite group of people! Welcome to another Thursday, and good morning, of course! How are you all feeling today? I (Vella) am feeling a bit down today (and that’s okay). We all have our days. Sometimes, you try so hard to put on a smile even when you don’t feel like it because you want to make the people around you feel better. But today, I’m giving myself permission to be a little more vulnerable and honest. If this sounds familiar to you, maybe this is your sign to put your emotions first. It’s okay not to be okay sometimes. I’m thankful I have all of you and my SDC family to lean on when the going gets tough.

Now, let’s not get too serious. After all, today is still Thursday, and that means it’s time for our jam-packed newsletter! First things first, it’s time to give you all the answer to yesterday’s tricky riddle. For those of you who don’t remember, the riddle goes:

Sometimes narrow, sometimes wide. Wind or rain I stay outside. Even when there’s heat or snow, house to house I will go. What am I?

The answer, of course, is a pathway! Quite tricky, eh? But a bunch of you did get it right, so congratulations, everyone! If you’re one of those people, make sure you stick around, and you’ll find a shout-out waiting for you at the end of the newsletter.

Next on the agenda for today, it’s time to share a Fascinating Fact! 

Did you know that Australia is home to the longest fence in the world? The Dingo Fence spans about 5,614 kilometres, across three states, including 150km that traverses the red sand dunes of the Strzelecki Desert. Australia began constructing the fence in 1859 to keep the wild dingoes away from livestock in the south, and it has become an important part of Australia’s fauna protection. You learn something new every day, huh?

Now then, members, what’s happening in Australia and around the world in the news today?

• Prepare for the ultimate outdoor essentials sale as ALDI launches their massive 45-piece range, perfect for your next camping or road trip – with prices starting at just $5!
• Speaking of ALDI, the supermarket giant has come under fire for their latest release, with some customers calling it ‘lazy’. But there is a very good reason for it.
• A Woolworths worker has sparked a heated debate after revealing the true purpose of this trolley feature. Hint: There’s more than one!
• Heads up, members! Coles has just confirmed a major change to their stores that’s taking effect immediately – and it will change how you shop!
• A French ex-pat has sparked outrage after labelling a ‘weird’ Aussie cleaning habit as ‘gross’. Do you agree?
• ATTENTION, MEMBERS! Beachgoers are being warned about a sea creature that may look pretty but can actually deliver a nasty sting.
• It turns out you’ve been washing your broccoli wrong your whole life! This viral video shows the ‘correct’ way to rinse your vegetables - and it might surprise you!
• A learner driver has been caught allegedly speeding at 253km/h on a major highway, with police saying it is one of the highest speeds ever clocked on South Australian roads. Do you think the younger generation are worse drivers?
• As the Federal Government plans to expand the myGov app, Australians will be able to display their driver's licences, renew passports, and register to vote all in one place. But is going digital only going to make things harder?
• Big changes are coming to Australia's healthcare system amid a push for reform that could result in more prescription powers and a higher Medicare rebate.
• It has been revealed that the former government released Robodebt victims’ personal details to the media to stop them from speaking out. What does this mean for privacy?
• Snack time just got a whole lot tastier with this delicious Ham and Vegetable Slice.
• Finally, what happens when a dung beetle walks into a bar? Find out in this hilarious joke shared by @mick.idgaf, and get ready for a good chuckle!

Well, that’s a wrap of your Thursday news! We hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed writing it! But the fun doesn’t stop there! We still have plenty in store for you below, including a lovely 'Picture of the day' courtesy of member @Big Al, a funny joke from member @Skipton, and a fond childhood memory from our 'Yesterday’s Australia' segment. This will put a smile on your face! Oh, and don't forget to try comparing your broadband prices and plans to find one that is better suited to your needs*! You can compare and save on your internet here*.

And while you’re here, challenge your brain with our many games, including our Alphabetical Bands/Groups Game, Alphabetical Australian Places Game, Change A Letter Game, and 3x3 Word Thread. Of course, we still have our beloved classic games, including Word Pairs, Abbreviation Game, Word Association Game, Rearrange, Add or Subtract Word Game! Keep a Word, Drop a Word Game, and Can you name 5? As well as our Sudoku puzzles and OzGrid, and our card games, including Solitaire and Blackjack.

Last but not least, we have good news for you OzWord fans out there! Our 'expert' edition of OzWord is now live and ready to test your knowledge. Be warned though - even though it's only one extra letter compared to the original, it's a lot more difficult. You can give it a shot here. And if you haven't played OzWord yet - we recommend giving the original version a go by clicking here.

As always, members, stay safe and happy reading!

- Jonathan, Vella, Sean, James, Sethia, April, Jarred, Ally & Maddie.