Australia bushfires: Disaster brings out the best and worst in people

Two Australian bushfire looters who took $15,000 worth of supplies from a fire-ruined retail store have pleaded guilty to their charges.

Their court appearance comes as the line-up of an all-star Sydney benefit concert is announced, bringing some good news amid the crisis. 

The looters were named as Leon Elton, a 38-year-old plumber, and Kylie Popjie, a 31-year-old cleaner.

The couple broke into a badly damaged Betta Electrical store in Batemans Bay on the south coast, stealing $15,000 worth of goods. 

Days later, Popjie, a mother of five, called the police and confessed. 

Police raided a property in Narooma and the pair were charged, pleading guilty in court, in front of family. 

But while a few have acted as opportunists amid the fires, there are many who have taken opportunities to help. 

Legendary British rockers Queen - fronted by Adam Lambert - will headline a benefit concert in Sydney next month. 

They're joined by Canadian singer-songwriter KD Lang, and Alice Cooper.

Australian artists including Olivia Newton-John, Delta Goodrem, Guy Sebastian and John Farnham will also lend their voices to the 9-hour concert.

Funds from the 70,000 tickets will go to Red Cross, the fire service, and the RSPCA.  

"Fire Fight Australia" will be hosted by Instagram comedian Celeste Barber, whose personal Facebook fundraiser raised more than $50 million.

Among the good news - a television reporter has also provided Australians with some much-needed laughter.

ITV's Debi Edward was tricked into wearing protective gear to hold a Kangaroo Island koala after being told it was instead a vicious "drop bear". 

When it was taken off her, she realised she'd just been holding an ordinary koala.  

The video is being used to direct people to the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park GoFundMe page and has so far raised over $1 million.