Month: July 2019

Exciting news! Our very own Humans in Geelong team member, Bec Picone, is one of six finalists in the running to win the Geelong Westfield Local Heroes 2019 prize. If Bec receives enough votes, she’ll win $10,000 of much needed funds, for her not-for-profit Peace of Mind Foundation, that supports sufferers of Brain Cancer and their families. Please vote now and PLEASE SHARE! Voting closes 12th August. www.westfield.com.au/geelong

Bec is always on call to support people with brain cancer 24/7. The dedicated single mum created the Peace of Mind Foundation, to support others, after her beloved sister-in-law, Caroline, passed away just months after giving birth to her son, from this insidious disease. The foundation runs a support group, annual retreats and provides financial and in-home support to patients. In just six years, she’s tirelessly raised over $682,000 for the cause through fundraising and grants. 

 “I saw the need and founded Peace of Mind in order to provide much-needed and difficult-to-find support and care for patients and families fighting brain cancer,” implores Bec.

Continue reading “Geelong Westfield Local Hero, Bec.” →

Come on down to Lovely Banks this Sunday to make it even lovelier by planting a tree. The City of Greater Geelong and Planet Ark need all the helping hands they can get to plant 3000 trees on National Tree Planting Day. Volunteers should wear covered shoes and appropriate clothing for what could be rain, hail or shine. They’ll provide gloves, tools, planting equipment and refreshments! This soul rewarding outdoor activity is suitable for the whole family, so make it part of your family funday Sunday.

When: Sunday 28th July

Where: Goldsworthy Rd Lovely Banks (between Goldsworthy Rd and Purnell Rd)

Time: 9.30am-3pm

More info: https://treeday.planetark.org/site/10022246

The City of Greater Geelong tell us “Last year our community helped us plant 3500 trees for National Tree Day at the Hill Mountain Bike Park!

This year we’re hoping to plant 3,000 mixed natives at the Ted Wilson Track in Corio.”

Story: Sarah Treacy Photo: supplied by CoGG

I’ve battled with anxiety and depression, or as I like to call it, the noise in my head, in various forms for as long as I can remember and then in September 2016, two of my mates committed suicide in short succession which sent me into a downward spiral that almost saw me go down the same path. But I’m one of the lucky ones…I’ve been given a second chance and I came to the realisation that we need to change the narrative; we need to stop this! So, I started The Man Walk Geelong. PLEASE SHARE. It’s a free weekly walk for men with an ethos of walk, talk, support. It’s a safe space.

If you are finding life a bit tough or just want to start your day with a good walk, a laugh and a chat, please join us no matter your age or background. It’s every Saturday at 7am from the Eastern Beach Fountain. We offer an environment that is all welcoming and free of judgement – our aim is to encourage all men to talk and to realise that you aren’t alone.

Everyone we speak to has a story and storytelling is the best way to break down stigma.

Continue reading “The Man Walk Geelong, Chris.” →

Would you like to find out more about Humans in Geelong? Would you like to be inspired by locals and feel more connected to your community? Would you like to focus on positivity? Come and meet Humans in Geelong team members Brandon Dellow, Bec Picone and Jacqui Bennett at the Waurn Ponds Library next Wednesday 24th July at 6pm. Hear our free, inspiring presentation.

We’ll share why we saw the need to start this project. We’ll introduce you to some of the amazing locals we’ve featured. We’ll emphasise the importance of focusing on ‘good news’.

Continue reading “Humans in Geelong library presentation.” →

“Geelong has been our first and only home in Australia. That is where I have learnt about Australian culture, understanding the language, meeting friends, and meeting the community.”

Mahdi Alizada is a 16 year old Afghani refugee living in Geelong. Mahdi, along with his mother, father and five other siblings came to Australia almost 3 years ago through UNHCR. He attends Northern Bay College Goldsworthy Campus in Corio.

“I was born in Ghazni, Afghanistan. I started school at around the age of 7. When I got older at around 10 or 11, I used to work in my uncle’s grocery shop, helping him clean and organise the shop and sell things to customers. When it was night time, that was time to go home.

Continue reading “Mahdi Alizada.” →

When I met Darren Grayson, I immediately felt comfortable and valued. This kind, caring man made me feel the same way he would make all his friends and clients feel; loved. He went to St Joseph’s College and proudly remembers a Year 11 careers assignment where he listed his top 3 careers; hairdresser, interior designer and architect. Congratulations Darren on achieving your aims!

“I’d not long started hairdressing and was in America for the Hairdressing World Championships. I boldly strolled down Rodeo Drive, Beverley Hills with blonde ‘Wham’ hair flowing. I put my resume in to Vidal Sassoon and would you believe it, I was invited back! But Mum didn’t want me to leave Geelong that young, so she set me up with my own Salon in Gheringhap St. I was just 21.

Continue reading “Darren Grayson” →

Samaritan House Geelong continued to be under high demand over the Christmas and New Year period to support homeless men. Our vision is that “No homeless man need sleep rough in Geelong” and Tim Wilson & his team of volunteers so their best to achieve this 

We consistently have over 80% occupancy – in February 2019, it was 95% – and often completely full. The reason we are not 100% all the time – which we could well be – is that our guest mix is carefully managed to ensure safety for guests and our overnight volunteers. Continue reading “Samaritan House update.” →

Meet Niki, Geelong single Mum of two. After having recovered from a second brain surgery, she now plans to trek the El Camino to raise awareness and funds for sufferers of aneurysms and its survivors.

4 years ago whilst being treated for MS, an MRI revealed that Niki had a terminal ICA aneurysm. She was referred to the neurosurgery unit and it became evident that surgical clipping was her only option. Niki had her first surgery almost two years later, the delay came about due to her mother passing away and not having support available for her then 8 year old daughter, who is neuro-diverse and requires a lot of support.

Continue reading “Aneurysm Awareness, Niki” →

“Don’t underestimate the power of the things that make you happy. You don’t always need to look ahead, at the future, sometimes you must look at the present. What makes you happy today? Cherish it, pursue it! The rest will work itself out.”

Gypsy Akhyar grew up in Norlane and went to Norlane West Primary School (now Northern Bay College Peacock Campus), then on to the Goldsworthy campus for senior school. “I was a bit of a lazy kid when it came to schoolwork but that changed towards VCE when it all started becoming real.”

Graduating as Dux of Northern Bay College in 2018, Gypsy is now studying a Bachelor of Science degree at The University of Melbourne, intending to major in Pure Mathematics. “My goal for the future is to actually become an academic! You’d think that after 13 years of school I’d want to get into the workforce, but I have a very strong passion for learning, and I’d love to stay and write papers and teach at university. I’m not sure what degrees I’ll complete after my undergraduate, but I’d like to do an honours year so that I can write my own paper on maths, maybe following that, I’ll go straight to my masters, or maybe I’ll take an interim to pursue my other passion of Philosophy. I guess I’ll have to just wait and see!”

Continue reading “Gypsy Akhyar” →