Author: humansingeelong

16 on a bus, pregnant, feeling eyes upon her, thoughts of worthlessness and embarrassment for the situation she finds herself in. Unable to go home. 16 on a bus to take herself into an agency for help to keep herself off the streets. 16, pregnant, family with a history of mental health issues, she can feel herself slipping downhill into anxiety and depression. Her body shakes uncontrollably at the most random times, she wonders if she is broken on a daily basis. 16, a mother, the baby screams as she enters the bus, eyes shift to stare. She takes a seat and tries to settle the baby, only to hear people and their words cut through “a child having a baby, how disgusting.” She wants the world to swallow her whole.

This was the reality of Michelle’s life. A life that has led her to supporting others just like her. Michelle is part of a group of incredible local women who have begun @TheEmpowermentChallenge
https://www.facebook.com/theempowermentchallenge/

Continue reading “The Empowerment Challenge, Michelle.” →

#schoolstrikeforclimate this Friday, 20 Sept. 10am meet outside Geelong City Hall. ALL WELCOME! All ages, all walks of life, please join us as this affects everyone. PLEASE SHARE! We hear more from @ayccgeelong’s Jarrah Wishart and Erica Crawford who spoke at the Corangamite Youth Climate Forum hosted by Libby Coker MP.

Erica: “I live in Ocean Grove and love nature and want to protect it.”

Jarrah: “I moved to Point Lonsdale in early ’18 and have been living by the coast for the last 5 years. You can see the impacts of climate change on the coast.”

Erica: “Our first AYCC Australian Youth for Climate Coalition meeting was held on the 10^th of April after the second Geelong school strike. We talked about the problems and solutions as to how we can lower our environmental footprint. Eg by having more bike lanes and better public transport.”

Jarrah: “We are a like-minded group of about 20-30 young people with the drive to push to solutions.”

Erica: “We are empowering young people to drive positive change. For example, we’ve held a clothes swap because the fast fashion industry has a very large negative impact on the environment.”

Continue reading “School Strike for Climate, Sept 20th.” →

“For work, I use to be sweeping floors and from November I’ll be touring with the Wiggles. Can you believe it! The Wiggles are like the Beatles but for children.” We hear from one of the World’s leading Elvis Presley tribute artists and Geelong local, Jack Gatto.

“I had to listen Elvis all the time because that’s all Dad played around the house. At 16 I said to dad, if I can sing like this guy will you stop playing him all the time. ‘No-one can sing like Elvis’ said dad, but I proved him wrong. Now I’m a big Elvis and Johnny Cash fan.

Continue reading “Jack Gatto is Elvis.” →

Humans in Geelong team member, singer, MC and micro influencer, Kim Cooper, is in hot demand. Her exciting relaunch of her blog ‘This Hot Mess’ is tomorrow night on Murphys Rooftop, with her closest friends, Geelong locals she admires and a special few ticket winners.

The launch will feature an exciting panel; Steph Sanzaro, a plant based eating specialist and mental health advocate from Instagram blog ‘Plant Based Body’, Asti Maree, a sexual energy and female empowerment coach from the podcast ‘Sex, Sass and Soul’, Caitlyn Menzel of ‘Caitlyn Menzel Coaching’, Huntress Hair/Hunter Barber and Bec Dunifield, owner of Zero Point Yoga and fully qualified psychotherapist.

Continue reading “This Hot Mess relaunch, Kim.” →

The Humans in Geelong Book is being distributed all around the region thanks to the 500 people who attended the Book Launch on Sunday. The launch was held at the Hangar, let free to community groups, thanks to the major sponsor of the Humans in Geelong Expo 2019, Rory Costelloe and Villawood Properties.

Thanks to Rory and Noel Murphy and Villawood for joining the team and helping to inspire, connect and strengthen our community. Rory is pictured with Founder Jacqui Bennett and Geelong Mayor Bruce Harwood. We really appreciate all the support we gain from the City of Greater Geelong.

Thanks also to Kardinia Rotary Club who were on tea, coffee and washing up. Althea and Kerry from the Club are also Humans in Geelong team members. Our auspice, the amazing Geelong Sustainability supplied the ‘War Against Waste’ crockery and cutlery kit.

Continue reading “Humans in Geelong Book Launch, thanks.” →

The Big Day has arrived! We are so excited to be launching The Humans in Geelong book today. 40 inspiring, diverse stories, 40 quotes and stunning photos thanks Phil Hines, team, writers and subjects. It was all made possible because of our amazing community who voted for the book in Pick My Project the State Government grant and our auspice Geelong Sustainability

Thanks @snapprint&designgeelong Libby Pollard & Alvaro Revelo, a family from Highton Primary School. Thanks Kathryn Junor and the Deakin University students for the design. It looks beautiful! Thanks Renée Otmar for proofreading and Andrew Wilkins for his expert advise.

Continue reading “The Humans in Geelong Book.” →

“I experienced debilitating anxiety and depression in my late 20’s that really knocked me off my feet. I couldn’t eat, sleep, drive… I was a complete mess for a long time. I remember feeling shocked that it had happened to me, as I would have thought I was a pretty happy go lucky kind of person. That’s when I started studying happiness.” We hear from local, Angie Hilton who is the producer of the TV series, Destination Happiness.

“I was determined to understand how I got into that state, how I could get out of it and how I could stay out of it. I always thought that if I found answers that worked for me, then I would share them with as many people as possible.

“That’s why I started Destination Happiness, a Channel 9 national TV show that focuses on mental health, happiness and overall wellbeing.

Continue reading “Destination Happiness, Angie Hilton.” →

This story discusses suicide, loss and support. Lifeline is always there if anyone needs to talk 13 11 14. Sending lots of love to everyone who has suffered loss. Lauren and Kevin Arkinstall will walk in  Geelong SPAN’s 10th Suicide Awareness Walk on Sunday, to acknowledge the life of their daughter Holly, who died by suicide in February 2017.

Just six weeks after Holly took her own life, Lauren said they took part in the walk on the suggestion of a grief counsellor from Jesuit Social Services Hope Bereavement Care. SPAN’s aim has been to combat the stigma and shame that can accompany suicide and the annual walk is a means of bringing people together to raise awareness of suicide.

Continue reading “SPAN Suicide Awareness Walk, Lauren” →

@theJesseMalthouse and I LOVED spending the morning at the not-for-profit @GAWS, the Geelong Animal Welfare Centre at 325 Portarlington Rd. Moolap, learning about all the different volunteer opportunities they have from playing with shy kittens, to donating blankets, helping with administrative needs and more!

If you’re an animal lover looking to do your bit for the community, deft check them out! They’ll be at the Humans in Geelong Expo on Sun 6^th October.

Vlog: @kimelisecooper @jessemalthouse Photo: GAWS Facebook page, posted 31.08.19

“There is a lot to be said for being part of a chorus of 60 or more folk from all walks of life who just love to sing.” Rodney Smith is one of the inspired members of Geelong’s With One Voice (WOV) Community Choir. Watch them perform at the Humans in Geelong Expo on Sunday 6^th Oct at 11am Deakin Waterfront.

“Inspiration was natural for me. I was a member of a choir in my previous home in the USA. I moved back home to Australia after suffering 4 debilitating strokes. Not only was choir something I wanted to get back to, but it has been shown to be pivotal in brain development/recovery giving me a double incentive to get back into singing.”

Continue reading “With One Voice Community Choir, Rodney.” →