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The tiny forest at Teralba Public School, Lake Macquarie, on planting in May 2024 (right) and November 2025 (left).

How forests the size of tennis courts transform Australian cities

You’ve heard of tiny homes, but what about tiny forests? It’s a growing movement in Australia, based on Japanese ideas.

  • Caitlin Fitzsimmons

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A fundraising bonanza has sparked infighting in Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organisation.

The $100 million windfall that quickly turned from a blessing into a curse

With Barack Obama and Ellen DeGeneres plugging the cause, donations poured into a bushfire emergency fund. Infighting followed.

  • Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) President, Professor Jennifer Martin (left), with RACP president-elect Dr Sharmila Chandran in 2024.

Major medical body asks charity watchdog to take over and end dysfunction

The extraordinary intervention came just hours before members were due to begin voting on whether to oust the body’s sitting president. 

  • Angus Thomson
Former wildlife carer Tracy Dods with some of her supporters outside Parramatta District Court as she awaited the outcome of her appeal.

Former wildlife carer’s conviction for animal cruelty overturned

WIRES and the RSPCA raided Tracy Clare Dods’ Blue Mountains property and seized three kangaroos in her care. The judge criticised their “at times aggressive” behaviour.

  • Caitlin Fitzsimmons
A release of endangered Manning River turtles that have been bred in captivity back into a wild river.

Hayley’s team took in 12 endangered turtles. Then the hard work began 

Understanding the romantic life of Manning River turtles led to the first successful breeding of the reptiles in captivity and a release of the next generation into the wild Barrington River.

  • Caitlin Fitzsimmons
The preacher’s charity OneJesus plans to build a $2.2 million luxury home.

Grand designs: Charity run by stabbed bishop plans luxury six-bedroom home

Mar Mari Emmanuel, stabbed at his pulpit nearly two years ago, directs OneJesus, a charity set up to acquire properties that are “suitable for people with special needs”.

  • Patrick Begley
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Stack of books at the library.

The million-plus students cut off from computers in this age of billionaire excess

Once, mothers’ clubs quietly helped students do their homework. Today, companies are being asked to donate disused computers for the same purpose.

  • Tony Wright
World Vision’s former Gaza director Mohammed al-Halabi was convicted by an Israeli court of diverting aid funds to Hamas.

Hamas interrogated World Vision whistleblowers to obstruct trial

Hamas internal documents reveal the militant group assumed the key witness against Mohammed al-Halabi came from inside World Vision’s Gaza office.

  • Rob Harris
Cheryl Bawtinheimer (nee Hope), who escaped from the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church after years of alleged sexual abuse.

Brethren charity sues woman allegedly abused by an elder

The controversial church’s charity arm has asked an American court to intervene over the use of its logo on the former member’s YouTube channel.

  • Michael Bachelard
Anthony Albanese with members of the Rapid Relief Team, the charity of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, formerly known as the Exclusive Brethren in January 2026.

Brethren boss says reputation ‘basically worthless’ as PR push serves PM a tasty treat

Having branded the church a “cult” during last year’s election, Anthony Albanese had a far friendlier interaction with its charity arm.

  • John Buckley, Cara Waters and Rachael Dexter