We were blown away by the calibre of the nominees at the City of Greater Geelong’s Youth Awards 2019. Congratulations to all involved. Two Humans in Geelong team members were among those nominated. Come and meet Steph and Jesse at the Humans in Geelong Expo on Sun 6 Oct 10-3pm Deakin Waterfront. Jesse Malthouse will be speaking, time TBC. Updates to the program on our website.
Stephanie Downing’s nomination: Knowledge and creativity are powerful tools, that can be used to do great good in the community. This is something that Stephanie Downing embodies in her life and in what she hopes to share with others. She’s a talented local writer based in Geelong who studied Creative Writing at Deakin University. Stephanie is passionate about using her skills in writing to spread messages of positivity, mental health and fostering a creative community.
After she graduated from her course in 2016, Stephanie became a keen volunteer with Hero Town Geelong. Steph supported this cause by writing over 50 inspiring blogs. She also produced effective advertising material and social media content for Hero Town and its programs such as Mental Health First Aid.
From there, Steph joined the Humans in Geelong movement in mid-2017, using her writing skills to share approximately fifteen stories from people in the local region. With interview subjects from local artists, to musicians, youth workers and volunteers, Stephanie’s compassionate writing shone a spotlight on these amazing people and brought their inspiring stories into the public consciousness. Her touching story of the Royal Geelong Yacht Club building boats with our Syriac Community caught the attention of the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. Humans in Geelong quickly grew into a tidal wave of positive news, and Stephanie helped to make the annual Humans in Geelong expo bigger each successive year.
Steph is a dedicated volunteer for numerous programs including at the Word for Word festival at the Geelong Library since 2016, and acting as venue support for Writers Victoria and the Melbourne Writers Festival over the past year.
Jesse Malthouse’s nomination: The enthusiastic and energetic Jesse Malthouse joined the Humans in Geelong team as a videographer and youth advisor in 2018. He uses his talents of videoing and editing to produce short, catchy, inspiring clips. He films Kim Cooper and together, they show how easy it is to volunteer, give blood, connect with and strengthen our community. They are fostering an inclusive, diverse, healthy and socially connected community.
Jesse also had a personal blog, on YouTube and @thejessemalthouse on instagram where he inspires others to be the best version of themselves.
Jesse is using creativity to drive culture. He has also demonstrated he is a leader in developing and adopting technology.
Jesse aspires to build his own companies through videos which would lead him to speaking nationally and internationally about self-development for children and adults to inspire them to live a life of purpose and to reach their full potential.
Jesse describes himself as an aspiring entrepreneur. By showing the initiative to inspire, connect and strengthen his community by using his clever and creative talents, he’s over halfway there. The Geelong community is so lucky to have this inspirational young man.
If you were nominated for a Youth Award you might like to send in your story.
Story: Jacqui Bennett Photos: Phil Hines
HuG 