Author: humansingeelong

‘What I have been preparing to say is, that in wilderness is the preservation of the world.’ HD Thoreau

“I moved to Geelong from the United Arab Emirates in 2017.  I was happy to discover the mangrove forests at Barwon Heads and began to learn the history of the land around my new home.  I researched how the mangrove landscapes of the Port Phillip and coastal fringe areas were irrevocably transformed by colonial occupation.  I also discovered that such change has caused a loss of biodiversity that unfortunately is now a feature of Australia’s ecology.” Zahidah Zeytoun Millie tells us more.  

“Mangroves – Vanguards of the Sea.  Ecologically important in linking land and sea, mangroves are part of Nature’s wilderness.  The estuarine forests along northern Australia’s coastline are at risk, as stated by the Australian Government, Department of Environment and Energy.  In southern Australia, though, where wilderness areas have suffered all so greatly, mangrove forests are rarely noticed or celebrated.  A common perception of the beauty of the Victorian coastline is white sandy beaches, not an estuarine forest of mangrove trees.  Searching tourism and environment websites of the Barwon Heads region where mangroves surround Lake Connewarre I find information about ocean greens relating to golf clubs and white sandy beaches for surfing, swimming, or walking.  One can be amazed by plants like bull kelp, sandstone arches and sponge gardens, yet nothing about mangroves. 

Continue reading “Mangroves from the Water, Exhibition.” →

“Last year, the statistics show that there were 3,318 suicide deaths in Australia. 75% of these deaths were males. Play On has been inspired by Abraham Knox. We hope to make a difference. The event is scheduled for August 15th or when Covid rules allow. All males are welcome at this event.

“There will be a traditional Welcome to Country and ceremony. Guest Speaker and Ice Bath facilitator, Mark Kluwer, will share with us breathing techniques that can be used to connect mind and body, which builds physical and mental strength. Ice Bath optional.

“Facilitator, Joel Hines, brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, in regards to teaching different techniques and exercises that we can use as blokes to change the way we view and discuss mental health.

“Guest speaker, Boh Evans, will share his story about his own battle with mental health and the loss of his nephew Abraham Knox. You can read Boh’s earlier story here: https://humansingeelong.com/2021/04/29/just-breathe/

“To finish off the day there will be delicious roast free range pork from Catherine Farm and 100% grass fed beef from Brooklands Free Range Farms, Blampied, Central Highlands, Vic.

“All profits from this event will be donated to Hope Bereavement Care Geelong, a not-for-profit organisation based in Geelong offering free information, support and counselling when grieving the death of a child, the sudden and unexpected death of an adult, and those experiencing loss after suicide.

“Due to the subject that will be discussed, parental discretion is advised. Come on men get behind this great initiative and be a part of keeping Abe’s legacy alive.”

From the Play On team. Photo supplied.

Humans in Geelong love a chance for artistic talent to shine, especially  in our local area, so if you’re a First Nations artist, here’s an opportunity not to miss!

Geelong Arts Centre are looking for First Nations artists to have their creations be part of the  centre’s redeveloped spaces.. but be quick as applications close 5pm next Thursday 29 July 2021! 

Find out more at   https://geelongartscentre.org.au/news/calling-all-first-nations-artists-and-creators/

Yes, I’m a tree hugger! I always get excited to see that National Tree Day is coming up. This year the school’s Tree Day is next Friday 30^th of July. I’ve planted thousands of trees over the years with students at Leopold Primary School and now Highton Primary School.

National Tree Day, City of Greater Geelong planting, has been rescheduled to Sunday August 29th.

The City of Greater Geelong holds community tree planting on the Sunday. With the assistance from the community the aim is to plant 3,500 trees along the large section of the Ted Wilson Trail at the rear of Haines Reserve. The address is 1a Wilks Street, Hamlyn Heights, VIC 3215

You can find out more and register here: https://treeday.planetark.org/site/10025503

It’s always great to see families working together planting trees.

Organisers tell us “Dress according to weather condition. Hat, sunscreen, gloves & appropriate foot wear. Lions Club will be in attendance with a sausage sizzle and refreshments along with Blood Toyota Geelong who are a major sponsor of Planet Ark National Tree Day & Barwon Water.

“Come for an hour or come all day and enjoy being a part of protecting the future.”

Photo supplied.

“Everyone is very impressed that 4 boys have worked so hard on their Gender Equality project.” I’m talking to Brock, Jarrod, Michael and David from Grade 6 at Northern Bay’s Tallis Street Campus. The Grade 6s are participating in the Kids Thrive Program. The students form small groups, inquire in to those in need and formulate a way to help. 

Brock tells us more. “There’s a Cultural Diversity group who are collecting food for the Food Bank to help the culturally diverse in need. An Animals group are supplying snuggle blankets to Geelong Animal Welfare Service (GAWS). Another group is collecting clothes and blankets for Geelong Mums who support families in need.

“The Kids Thrive Program raises awareness for helping and caring for others. Our group is about Gender Equality and I can relate to that because I have two younger sisters. We investigated and found out that some girls miss school if they don’t have the sanitary items they need. My little sister adores school and I wouldn’t want to see her, or anyone like her, missing out.

Continue reading “Kids Thrive 2021.” →

“It is wonderful to see these connections being formed, and families from both schools look forward to the zoom calls each week.” Kardinia International College Principal, Catherine Lockhart, describes the benefits of the school’s ‘Homestay GoKIC’ Virtual Homestay Experience.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, international student exchange programmes have been unable to run as usual, so ‘Homestay GoKIC’ provides an innovative alternative. Kardinia International College students are connecting with students from Kardinia’s sister school, Gotemba Nishi High School in Japan, through a virtual homestay experience called ‘Homestay GoKIC’. Through weekly Zoom calls, Kardinia International College and Gotemba Nishi High School families learn about each other’s schools, food and everyday life.

Kardinia International College was founded by the late Mr Yoshimaro Katsumata, who was the owner of Gotemba Nishi High School. Gotemba Nishi High School Vice Principal, Mr Takahiro Katsumata is the grandson of Mr Yoshimaro Katsumata and a member of Kardinia International College’s Board.  The two schools share a strong bond, through student exchange and study tour programs, but with international travel suspended, the schools decided to continue these important student cultural experiences online.

Continue reading “Kardinia International College’s virtual homestay experience.” →

Wally Conron has worked with animals for most of his 92 years, and keeps four horses at his home in the Barrabool Hills.  Wally, along with Sally Miller and Pom MacKenzie, who learned to ride with him, told this story of ‘Ladies’ Day’

Wally:  When I moved to Geelong 30 years ago, the Barwon Valley Pony Club invited me to be a riding instructor. I thought it unfair that the mothers were expected to just lead their children’s ponies around.

So when one of the mothers approached me tentatively and murmured, ‘I was wondering if you could teach me horse riding?’I hesitated-because teaching an adult beginner is not a simple matter. For one thing, they don’t bounce like kids do when they fall.

She walked away thinking I was refusing her request, but her dejected air got the better of me.  I asked her to come to my place, and explained that I teach horsemanship, not just riding.

‘It’s no good riding if you can’t saddle up and don’t know how to treat your mount.  You’ll learn to approach a horse confidently, then you’ll put on the head collar.  After that, you’ll lead the horse, standing at its shoulder, and you’ll learn to groom it. Then,’ I concluded, ‘you’ll be ready to put on its saddle and bridle.’

The word got around and before long I had several enthusiastic women wanting to join what I began to call my ‘Ladies’ Day.’

Continue reading “Ladies Day.” →

Musician Andrea Robertson’s love for music began early in childhood, a passion that was supported and nurtured by her loving parents Alison and Bob.  Their home was always buzzing with music; voices singing, piano playing, the record player spinning the family’s vinyl collection, cassette mix tapes and the weekly ritual of Countdown.

When Andrea attended high school there were limited opportunities at the time to be involved in the creative arts and less of a societal focus on music being an acceptable career option. 

Sharing about some significant trauma experienced during her childhood and into her teens, Andrea described how this impacted her on many levels, steering her away from pursuing music as a career. However, this connection wasn’t made until she was well into her adulthood. Although she never lost her love of music and writing, there was always something holding her back from openly sharing this with others. Andrea speaks of the importance of music as a way of helping her to get through a long period where she was coming to terms with and dealing with what had happened.

Continue reading “Andrea Robertson.” →

Desperate to break into the film industry, Lara local Scott Day, self-funded a feature film by working tirelessly at a meat factory in Breakwater through the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Why? Because filmmaking has been his burning life-long passion.  

“I was bullied at primary school because I was obsessed with movies to the point where it was the only thing I would talk about. I almost had an eidetic memory when it came to who won Oscars in certain years and who starred in what movies.

“I had no other interests, and that’s how I found escapism, especially finding solace in writing my own stories and plays from the age of 7, but I didn’t write prose, I wrote dialogue instead.

“I kept alienating my peers without my teachers knowing I was on the spectrum until I was diagnosed at 12-years-old. 

Continue reading “Filmmaker, Scott Day.” →

Could you be a friend to an international student? When Lisa Cunningham heard about Study Geelong’s International Friends Program, she jumped at the chance for her family to be involved. The program matches an international student studying in Geelong with a local person/family to build connections, share interests and enjoy cross-cultural exchange. International student Nikhil who applied to the program mentioned he liked cars so it was an obvious choice to match him with Lisa and Shayne (and their son Xavier) who own Mustang and Co. The look on Nikhil’s face when he heard they had a red convertible 1966 Mustang was priceless!

They enjoyed exploring the Geelong region including a trip to Scotchman’s Hill Winery and a drive around the Bellarine Peninsula. They met up for a bite to eat at different Geelong venues and had a meal at each other’s houses.  Lisa said her family joined the program “to learn about the students living in Geelong and help them get the full experience of living in another country. We were fortunate enough to meet Nikhil who is just absolutely lovely. He is from India and we learnt all about different customs, his upbringing and background.” Xavier said he was “privileged to meet Nikhil and experience Indian food. I think other people should try it [the program].”

Study Geelong is looking for families in the Geelong region to participate in the program and help show an international student what a friendly, amazing place Geelong is. The program lasts for 12 weeks and is NOT a live-in program.

Continue reading “Nikhil and the Cunninghams.” →