Australia’s Oldest Man Knits Sweaters for Penguins in the Winter
Alfred “Alfie” Date was born on January 13, 1906. In 2015, at age 109, he was widely reported as Australia’s oldest man. He learned to knit in the 1930s when his sister-in-law handed him needles and wool and asked him to make a jumper for her baby. He kept going long after that baby outgrew the sweater.
By the time he reached his late 100s, Alfie had become a great-great-grandfather. He still enjoyed knitting inside his retirement home. Nurses knew of his skill, and in March 2015, they asked if he would help with a special request connected to wildlife rescue efforts in Victoria. Alfie agreed with a simple response, “It’s a good way of getting along in life. You make friends all the time, but you don’t make a fool of yourself either.”
Why Penguins Needed Sweaters
The request revolved around the little penguins affected by oil contamination. Little penguins live in Australia and New Zealand, and Phillip Island in Victoria is home to roughly 32,000 of them, which makes it one of the largest colonies in the world.
Oil spills pose a serious threat to these birds. Their feathers normally trap air and keep cold water away from their skin. When oil coats the feathers, they lose that protection. The penguins try to clean themselves by preening, and can swallow toxic oil in the process.
Knitted wool sweaters act as a temporary barrier that prevents the penguins from pecking at contaminated feathers while trained carers stabilize and wash them. The sweaters also help the birds retain warmth until their natural waterproofing is restored. Conservation groups linked to the Phillip Island rescue program had used knitted jumpers for years during oil-related emergencies, so it wasn’t a novelty project.
A Local Effort Goes Global
Image via Facebook/Penguin Foundation
Alfie began knitting tiny sweaters that same year, and they were sent to the Penguin Foundation in Victoria. He was one of thousands of volunteers who responded to calls for help, yet his age made his involvement noticeable.
News of the 109-year-old knitting for injured penguins spread quickly in 2015, and photos of Alfie holding small sweaters circulated online. The story resurfaced again in 2026, with social media users referring to him as a “GOAT” and sharing his image across platforms like X.
The Final Chapter
Alfie continued knitting after the penguin effort slowed, making scarves for friends and hats for premature babies. He passed away on May 2, 2016, at age 110.
His involvement in the penguin rescue program lasted only a short time, yet it left an impression. The image of Australia’s oldest man carefully stitching sweaters for birds in need continues to circulate years later.