Author: humansingeelong

Not a sound was heard, not even a mouse, as the Santa sleigh crept into the loading bay at a mammoth shopping centre where Santa has been visiting for seven years. Santa crept out of his chariot, collected his sack of goods and a spotless Christmas suit, then into a special waiting room to have coffee and dress, relax a little for the ever so long line of excited waiting children.

The queue of lively kids created giggling, festive, happy go lucky entertainment for the passing shoppers. It was all fun. Santa had to sit quietly and mentally prepare for the long hours ahead. To be the magical Santa required an enormous amount of internal energy, strength and patience. The end result was the most rewarding job ever. Welcoming over 100 children each day for a Santa chat and happy photos usually went smoothly and to plan.

Sometimes you could see in the line a sorrowful little one, not a troublemaker, just someone who was sad. Maybe one with a little secret to tell Santa that no one else would ever know. Something very personal.

Continue reading “Father Christmas, Ric Lasslett.” →

In collaboration with Geelong Youth Choir, local composer Callum Watson, has written a new carol paying tribute to the many aspects that will make this a Christmas like no other – with the international borders being shut, some State borders closed and countries such as Germany entering a hard lockdown given the pandemic.

Unfortunately, many families across the world will have to stay apart this Christmas for the greater good.

Composed and performed during the height of the Victorian COVID-19 lockdown as a virtual choir – with each chorister sending in a separate recording on their phone to be compiled in the studio. The carol reflects on the border closers which will make Christmas 2020 unlike any other! This project is supported by the City of Greater Geelong through its ‘Community Investment and Support Fund’. With thanks to Geelong Youth Choir.

You can read our story on the talented Callum Watson on our website at https://humansingeelong.com/2019/03/21/jazz-callum-watson/

Speaking up for others saved the life of Roger Napthine.

It started like this: In 2002 Roger and wife Cheryl decided to call for the fair treatment of people seeking asylum.

“We joined protests in central Geelong, attended meetings, and one day some friends suggested that we could do more by writing to a refugee in detention,” Roger says.

Roger and Cheryl started to correspond with a young Afghan man named Moosa, held at Baxter near Port Augusta.

“In 2004 we decided to take some time off and travel to visit Moosa at the detention centre. He was an intensely open, cheerful and optimistic person, and spent a lot of time learning English and trying to understand the Australian culture,” Roger remembers.

Continue reading “Advocate, Roger Napthine.” →

It certainly has “bin” quite a year, hasn’t it?

As we all shuffled indoors to begin our quarantine at the beginning of 2020, none of us had any inkling how long we would be living like this, or how profoundly our lives would change over the course of the year. While it has been a tremendously strange and difficult year at times, there have been many positive things that have come out of lockdown.

For many Australians, the only time we were able to go outside during lockdown was to take the bins out each week. Seizing the opportunity, Aussie Danielle Askew started dressing up for the one weekly outing and from that idea, Bin Isolation Outing was born.

Continue reading “Farewell Bin Isolation Outing.” →

Para Paheer suffered excruciating torture, lost many loved ones, fled for his life, and endured eight hours in freezing waters after the boat he’d escaped on, sank off Australian Waters. This led to him spending almost two years on Christmas Island in a detention centre. He was achingly separated from his wife and son for eight years. Yet, when writing his memoir with the help of his ‘Aussie Mum’, Alison Corke, he wanted to focus on ‘The Power of Good People’ – which is aptly, also the name of the book.

Para was just five years old when the 30-year Civil War in Sri Lanka erupted. As Tamils, along with millions of other Tamils, his family was continually displaced, prejudiced against and persecuted. Para seized every opportunity, from collecting muddied coconuts to earn some money for the family, to becoming the student body President at University. After a student rally, Para ended up in hospital, severely and unjustly beaten. He only escaped death thanks to a woman who dragged him to the safety of her house after seeing him lying wounded in a gutter.

Continue reading “The Power of Good People, Para.” →

“My mother was my inspiration. She patiently taught me and encouraged me to do what brought me joy. My name is Sorayya Rasouli Shemirani, I am originally from Iran and I thankfully settled in Geelong in 2014.

“In Iran, I finished high school and completed certificate IV in accounting. I worked in accounting for 5 years.

“Unfortunately, my Iranian qualifications and work, were not recognized in Australia, so I had to do the same course here. I completed accounting and bookkeeping Certificate IV at the Gordon TAFE in Geelong and certificate II financial literacy capability.

“I’ve been involved in volunteering in Geelong. Also, I have been participating in projects with the NDIS and the Barwon Disability Resource Council.

Continue reading “Artist, Sorayya.” →

Calling all local musicians. Song contest! Please share. We need an original song or original soundtrack to go with our community project ‘The Dance’. We were originally going to use the song, ‘I’ll make you Happy’ by the Divinyls, but it’s not going to happen. Then we thought, duh! One of our local music heroes will be able to come up with something of similar length and just as upbeat and rocky.

So, the original song or soundtrack, needs to be about 3.20 long and be the same beat as ‘I’ll make you happy’ because we have footage of 55 short, fun clips to match to it. These have come from team members, community groups and inspiring individuals dancing to the beat of ‘I’ll make you happy’.

The aim of the project is to showcase our beautiful region, our amazing, giving community groups and talented individuals. Humans in Geelong INSPIRE, CONNECT, STRENGTHEN community, and have a whole lot of fun while at it.

Submissions due by February 5^th 2021. DM us for more details. First prize $500 Second prize $200. Of course, it will mean global exposure of your song/sound track, because Humans in Geelong have followers in over 45 countries.

The FREE Launch of ‘The Dance’, complete with original fun music supplied by a local (maybe you), will be Tuesday 23^rd March 2021 7.30pm at the Dome, Geelong Library. It will be part of our ‘Be inspired by Humans in Geelong’ talk for Geelong Design Week 2021. Save the Date! Eventbrite bookings taken closer to the date.

Photo: team members preparing to dance.

“My immense passion for art has allowed me to increase my creativity and develop art works using various designs and mediums.

“My name is Sahar Roshandel and I am 43 years old.

“I am originally from Iran and I have been living in Geelong with my husband and two daughters since our arrival in Australia about 3.5 years ago.

“I would love to sell my art products for a fair price, and I can always make new ones and take orders.” If you are interested in supporting a local artist who has moved to Australia to make a safer and better life for herself and her family, you can contact Sahar at yasaman.bizhani14@yahoo.com Please Share.

Photos of Sahar’s diverse, striking artwork supplied.

Continue reading “Sahar, Artist.” →

Ingrid Hindell is physically disabled due to Cerebral Palsy but this has not stopped her from having a zest for life, for completing many courses, being on many committees and being a social advocate. She states “I’ve found the various stages in my life being a journey of continuous growth towards self-acceptance. This is thanks to the help and support of many wonderful people including my husband Robert.” Today is International Day for People with Disability.

Ingrid has developed a free self help course which is available here: https://www.facebook.com/There-is-no-one-to-blame-Not-even-ourselves-837939196242993

Ingrid migrated to Australia from Sri Lanka over half a century ago.  In 1997 she moved from Melbourne to Geelong. She has an organic vegetable garden, appreciates a good diet and complementary medicine.

Continue reading “Ingrid Hindell, IDPwD 2020.” →

If you thought Geelong students were feeling sorry for themselves, you might be surprised. A group of Geelong business leaders recently found quite the opposite. Responding to a call from the GRLLEN (Geelong Regional Local Learning & Employment Network) to support young people with virtual employment industry training (VEIT) online, the interviewers found an inspired and inspiring group ready and willing to take on the challenges the future might throw at them.

“All the students knew what they wanted to do in their working life and had determined a path, including an alternate route, to get there.” Shannon Goodall, HR Coordinator, Harwood Andrews, was impressed with the aspirations of the students she interviewed. 

Continue reading “What students thought about this year.” →