Author: humansingeelong

Warm Safe Home project. “My youngest daughter, when she was little, was as cheeky as they come. When she wrapped her little arms around me it was the best feeling in the world.

“She started taking money here and there. She said it would help pay my bills. And then she was asking for more. And then the bank rang. I didn’t think this could happen to me. It was her sister that said something in the end.

“Elder abuse is hard to picture but it happens every day. What starts out small doesn’t stay that way for long.” Story based on a true story of elder abuse from the Respect Victoria – Respect Older People Call It Out Campaign

The Barwon Warm Safe Home project is a community art project about taking a stand against elder abuse in our community.  We are inviting community members to harness their inner artist and help us make 1,000 crafted houses. (as pictured here)

Continue reading “Warm Safe Home Project.” →

We’re thrilled with the video that @breatheablueocean made for the Humans in Geelong Online Expo. It is a compilation of his inspiring and thoughtful beach artworks, photographed by @Adam Stan Photography. Ed talks to us about motivation and inspiration. He also explains how he constructs the artwork during the night, it takes a couple of hours and he uses only a single implement, no ropes or guides. It remains on the beach for a few hours before the tide washes it away.

The full video can be viewed on Humans in Geelong’s Youtube along with over 120 diverse, inspring videos that made up the Online Expo 2020.

Breatheablueocean’s story can be found on our website at https://humansingeelong.com/2020/08/21/breathe-a-blue-ocean-ed/

You can follow him on Instagram @breatheablueocean and view is artwork, early in the morning along the Bellarine or Surfcoast.

Sharing the traditional Persian recipes she once cooked with her mum has been a “dream come true” for one of Geelong’s newest restauranteurs, Somi Adh.

Growing up in Iran, Somi remembers that whenever she had playdates with cousins or friends, she would always pretend that she was running a restaurant and serving up delicious food.

“From the age of nine or ten I cooked with my mother, learning authentic Persian recipes that had been handed down for generations,” Somi says.

Somi worked as a chef for many years, both in Iran and Australia, but it wasn’t until this year that Somi, together with husband Harry, opened their first restaurant.

Continue reading “Somi Adh, Restauranteur.” →

Snags and Keith… where to start? We’ve had Snags for 9 years, he’s the wise old man of the pair. Keith is the rambunctious little pocket rocket that came in to turn our world upside down. The first week we had him, we were convinced we’d made a horrible mistake in getting another dog, Snags was extremely unimpressed, to put it lightly. But they are now literally inseparable, with Snags discovering a whole new lease on life. That was just over a year ago.

The pair provide us with joyous daily entertainment and have managed to introduce us to a whole range of new people, via social media, but also there isn’t a walk we go on that we aren’t stopped countless times for pats and chats.

Continue reading “Snags and Keith.” →

Everyone is doing it tough this year and that’s why our friends at the Rotary Club of Kardinia have creatively thought of a fundraiser that will not only help raise much-needed funds for our local community, but it will also support local small businesses. Geelong Gourmet Goodies.

They’ve designed, beautifully presented gift boxes full of Geelong’s local tasty treats. These are a great gift for Christmas or otherwise, for family, friends, staff or clients. There are two sizes to choose from $80 or $120. Be assured the funds raised will support Rotary projects here & abroad.

The gift boxes are available immediately and you can place orders up until November 30^th. The Club are offering free delivery within 50kms of Geelong CBD. Deliveries will be in early December or you can arrange for them to be earlier. Any queries please call Phil 0408 323 430.

To order and for the full list of all the delicious goodies, go to their website:

https://kardiniarotary.org.au/page/geelong-gourmet-goodies

How easy is that?

The Geelong-Viqueque Friendship Schools (GVFS) presents the inaugural ‘Art for Timor’ Art Exhibition.

‘Art for Timor’ celebrates the unique connection the Geelong community holds with the district of Viqueque in Timor-Leste. GVFS is proud to have maintained a strong connection with the people of Viqueque since the organisation’s establishment in 2008. The focus of GVFS activities is to improve educational opportunities for the Viqueque community.

‘Art for Timor’ opens at the Rachinger Gallery at the Eastern Community Hub:

                        Address: 285a McKillop Street (corner of Humble Street),
                                       East Geelong, Victoria 3219 

                        Open: 2-28 November 2020

                                    Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

                                    Saturdays 9am to 2pm

Continue reading “Art for Timor.” →

No need to advertise this service in Ocean Grove. Success spreads like wildfire! People keep coming and Luke helps them. He worked as a youth social worker, then with Bush and Beach Outreach for twelve years. There was minimal progress and Luke’s strong feelings told him to let it go. He knew he had much more to give in the area of disadvantaged people who were suffering little self-worth.

In his early days, Luke lived in the Corio and Norlane area, with life experience on the not so good side. This prompted him to study practical youth work, and he continued on to achieve a Diploma with Praxis. This involved overnight respite for families with disability and depression. Luke lived amongst the community on the fringe. During this time, he built a strong relationship with people who respected him, and that relationship still remains. He also worked in Foster Care with McKillop Family Services. Luke would like to add “there are kids out there who won’t have a home for Christmas. If any families would consider Foster Care, please get in touch with McKillop Family Services.”

Continue reading “Luke Whatman” →

Calling all artists! “Inspiration from Isolation – The Beauty from Within” is an art showcase and competition in celebration of the annual International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) held on 3 December.

In these unprecedented times of COVID; Encompass Community Services Art Competition & Showcase explores those living with disabilities, and others within the community such as employers, carers, family etc, and what they see as beautiful and inspirational.

Everyone can experience full inclusion in arts & culture and explore new avenues of self-expression and promote the participation, communication, increase self-confidence and self-understanding.

They openly invite anyone who lives within the Greater City of Geelong & The City of Wyndham to participate and submit an art piece of self-expression for the chance to win some amazing prizes!

Continue reading “Calling all artists.” →

Hello Geelong, prepare yourselves for the story of the well-known and everlasting character of Dame Edna Average.

Behind the costumes, jewellery, glasses and hats, which are a trademark, is a real true down to earth person, Elaine Valentine. She has been giving this character many entertaining outings for fundraising events for the past twenty years. Believe it or not, Elaine generously provided Dame Edna Average with something like over 200 performances.

Although Elaine is now 76, she would still dress up to the nines and be Dame Edna Average if invited. She would also arrive with loads of gifts to give away and play the part well, as she does. Any opportunity to decorate for Deb balls, fundraising events for rotary, commemorative events, and Australia Day, Elaine is there. She has had a long association of 60 years with Karingal., fundraising for them, even before they were an organisation. She was known for raising big money for the Karingal ‘Dress to Impress Balls’ for years. They were dazzling, happy times. Elaine gave tirelessly of her time, showered people and children with gifts, and had a creative flair for decorating spirit for any theme.

Continue reading “Dame Edna Average.” →

Janet Brown’s play ‘The Hope Song’, about people with mental health experiences, was launched as a digital version on World Mental Health Day. It can viewed for free on Humans in Geelong’s YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGJK-KuJaKY&t=1404s

It stars some of Australia’s finest acting talent including Di Smith and Luke Carroll. The play was written for Jules Haddock’s ‘Arts of The Mind’ festival on the Surfcoast in 2017, with the Anglesea Performing Arts theatre company.

A sold-out season at La Mama Courthouse followed in 2018, and then later that year in Geelong Courthouse, both of those seasons were supported by Sane Australia.

The script is published by Australian Plays. This digital version is directed by Socratis Otto who interestingly, also directed the play for Crying Chair Theatre at the Sydney Fringe Festival last year.

The people whose stories it is based on are all connected with the Geelong region. Warning: This play contains sensitive material, if any of the content raises any issues, please contact Lifeline 13 11 14.

Read about the ‘Arts of the Mind’ festival on our website: https://humansingeelong.com/2017/09/13/art-of-the-minds-festival-jules/