We live in a sunburnt country. As a result of the “bronzed Aussie” image, we have the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, with more skin cancer deaths each year than the National road toll. Two in every three Australians will get skin cancer in their lifetimes.
“Conquering Skin Cancer’’ is not your average documentary; it’s a compelling social impact film with a mission to prevent skin cancer.
Immerse yourself in a story that explores our complex relationship with the sun- the good, the bad and the ugly. Conquering Skin Cancer follows the remarkable stories of famous Australians, everyday Aussies, and change-makers, as they seek to conquer skin cancer, a preventable disease that impacts two in every three of us.
Featuring Hugh Jackman and Cate Campbell, as well as Deborah Hutton, Costa Georgiadis, Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew, and Australians of the Year Georgina Long & Richard Scolyer.
In cinemas in 30 locations across the country from December 2024.
Tickets on sale now for Village Geelong. Wednesday 4th Dec 6.30pm, Sunday 8th Dec 4pm and Wednesday 11th Dec 6.30pm.
Photos supplied of: 1. Cate Campbell, Olympic Gold Medalist Swimmer, 2. Deborah Hutton, Australia Media Icon, 3. Arabella Tarpey, young competitive surfer diagnosed with melanoma at just 18
Stop and listen; to the wind rustle leaves, the many bird species sing, the chattering of visitors, and the crunch of gravel beneath your feet. This place sounds like home.”
Joy Thorup Andersen describes Serendip Sanctuary in Lara, a special place that has inspired her to learn more about nature and to encourage others to protect and preserve our environment.
Growing up in Lara,Serendip Sanctuary was very much a part of Joy’s childhood.
“I went to Lara Primary school where a beautiful woman ran the Serendip Sanctuary school program. Each year, every class walked to Serendip Sanctuary for a week of learning about technology and the environment. We researched about the animals, (the Tawny Frogmouth was always my favourite), making PowerPointpresentations and websites full of information.
My family often brought friends to visit the Sanctuary too. We joined in Junior Ranger programs, going on nature treasure hunts and fishing for invertebrates at the ponding site.
During grade 5, we found out I had Dyslexia. I love my mother for finding opportunities for supporting me. I learned to love to read, no matter how slow I was.”
Joy followed her passion for nature throughout high school, and found opportunity and support at Serendip Sanctuary.
“In year 9 I began volunteering at Serendip. Every school holiday, I helped with the morning and afternoon feeds, cleaned walking tracks, replaced hay and helped with random odd jobs. I also enjoyed delivering Junior Ranger programs alongside the Rangers, teaching the kids about the things I loved.
I became so reliable that the staff trusted me to teach and mentor new volunteers and deliver the JuniorRanger programs when the Educational Ranger was ill. The Rangers became great friends and mentors, and when I learnt that the Team Leader at the time hadDyslexia, I realised there was nothing stopping me frombecoming a leader too.”
Joy’s love of Australian native wildlife, and realisationthat they needed a safe and healthy environment to survive in, led her to study Conservation and Land Management at Gordon TAFE.
“Here, I found a passion for plants and invasive species management. Acacia paradoxa, (Hedge Wattle), was the first botanical name I learned! In 2020 I became a Land Management Officer for Parks Victoria. My all-female team managed invasive flora and undertook track maintenance, based at Serendip. I soon learned to hate Acacia paradoxa, removing this spiky plant growing along walking tracks.”
Wanting to learn about fire in the landscape, Joy joined the CFA as a volunteer Fire Fighter, and then became a Project Fire Fighter (PFF).
“Now this was something different! I learned how the landscape was managed to reduce bushfire risk as well as responded to several bushfires.”
Following her first PFF fire season, she decided to start a Bachelor of Environmental Science, Conservation Wildlife Biology, with a minor in Indigenous Studies, at Deakin University.
“I never thought I would be smart enough, but I had a need to learn more about landscape management. I wish to play a role in researching how to improve our use of fire as a conservation tool, and to change thecommunities fear of fire, to understanding its usefulness as an environmental tool. I believe in using fire to create the desired landscape for reducing bushfire risk, improving biodiversity and producing resources.”
Joy is a young gem in our community who not only cares about the future of the planet, but is actively participating in making positive changes at a local level.
“I’ve come to realize how everything in nature is interconnected. Each natural cycle interacts with and influences the others, continuously shaping and reshaping our landscapes.”
She is currently in her final year of university, still a volunteer firefighter and now developing the Friends of Serendip Sanctuary group.
“My dream is for the Friends of group to play a role in connecting community with nature and enhancing the Sanctuary’s biodiversity. I see this as an opportunity to provide a space for learning and developing, for enhancing biodiversity and reconnecting humans to nature. I have big dreams for the Friends of Serendip Sanctuary group, and look forward to the mischief we will get into!”
Joy is currently seeking assistance to incorporate and lead the group. If you’d like to get involved, follow Friends of Serendip Sanctuary on Facebook, join the Friends of group and attend working bees, activities, or become a committee member.
“Come help us create opportunity for others to learn and play a part in enhancing biodiversity!”
Geelong Botanical Gardens, Corpse Flower. Once every 10 years or so for a day. The flower’s 2m tall & very impressive. It is named because of its smell which attracts insects to pollenate it. Origin, Sumatra.
Step UP! for Down syndrome is a major fundraiser for Down Syndrome Victoria (DSV) and also helps create awareness of people with Down syndrome in our local community and to highlight the positive impact they have on those around them.
This is the first time since 2019 that the event has been held locally in Geelong in addition to the annual Melbourne based event.
It is a wonderful, family friendly event that brings together our local Down syndrome community and their friends in celebration.
The event kicks off with a community walk along the waterfront, which is always a highlight. On the day we will have live music and children’s entertainment, small games activations and face painting, as well as some food options in the form of a sausage sizzle and our ever popular cake stall. There will also be a raffle held on the day with some great prizes to for grabs.
The event is open to anyone – you can register online or on the day.
Date – Sunday 13th October Location – Eastern Beach Reserve Time – 9:30am – 1:30pm
Follow @downsyndrome_geelong for more information
Funds raised on the day will be put towards the wonderful programs and support networks provided by DSV for people with Down syndrome and their families both here in Geelong and across the state of Victoria.
Get ready for an enriching experience with our upcoming adults’ belly dancing and wellness workshops, as well as our exciting children’s Hawaiian holiday dance and craft workshops in Geelong! Our bellydance workshops are designed to be inclusive and welcoming, providing a wonderful opportunity to connect with like-minded women and forge new friendships. Suitable for all fitness levels and ages, you’ll learn the beautiful art of belly dancing and gentle yoga while enjoying delightful Egyptian and Turkish nibbles, paired with refreshing herbal tea.
Leading our belly dancing classes is Kaylee, who brings over 15 years of experience to the floor. A university-qualified clinical nutritionist, author, personal trainer, and dance instructor, Kaylee’s diverse skill set ensures you’re in good hands. She has studied under and performed with internationally renowned belly dance artists such as superstar bellydancer Jillina, Kaeshi, and New Yorker Mohamed Shahin a master instructor, choreographer and performer. Recently, Kaylee returned from Hawaii, where she participated in Tahitian and hula dance workshops, further enriching her artistic repertoire.
We are also thrilled to announce our children’s **Hawaiian Dance Party** workshop on **October 1st** at the **Mount Duneed Community Hub**(Poa Banyul). Tailored for children aged 4-11 years, these workshops will be filled with Hawaiian crafts, games, Hawaiian dress-ups and the vibrant joy of hula dancing! Limited spaces so book now.
Join us for these fantastic local workshops and discover the joy of dance, culture, and community! We can’t wait to welcome you!
Coming to Eastern Hub! Mindfulness Meditation. We practice mindfulness meditation to unwind and allow ourselves to settle into a natural state of calm stillness. Daily moments of stillness can support our health and wellbeing by improving sleep, enhancing energy levels, boosting cognitive performance and blood pressure regulation. Other proven benefits include heightened emotional awareness, better interpersonal relationships and social connectivity.
N.B. Spontaneous moments of joy can be a side effect.
The class is suitable for first timers and those with long established practices.
Instructor: Fran Murphy has an MA in Educational and Counselling Psychology and certifications in Intercultural Communication, Interpersonal Neurobiology, Mindful-Based Stillness Meditation, English-language instruction and Yoga teaching. She has been practicing mindfulness-based meditation for 30 years, which has shaped her work as a psychotherapist, intercultural communication specialist, English language instructor and yoga teacher.
The inaugural Health Festival of Geelong is on this Saturday 20thJuly from 1-4pm at the Geelong West Town Hall. It’s a free event and everyone is welcome. The aim of the Health Festival is to share knowledge and know-how in accessing resources to support health and wellbeing in our region.
Topics include but are not limited to:
– Social connection and mental wellbeing with Michelle Murray the Executive Manager of Health Promotion VicHealth
– Keeping active with Active Geelong
– Sustainability in diet, health and the environment instilled in education by Farm My School
– Addressing psychological health with Wise Psychiatry
The afternoon will be made up of information stalls, workshops and many others.
Organisers would like to invite the Geelong community to come, learn and connect with the health services and health professionals in our region.
Photo L-R Tracey Gibbs Farm My School, Jenny Huang Founder of the Geelong Health Festival, Donna Carroll Lake Imaging and Janet Ashton Active Geelong.
Here’s an opportunity to get an inside look at the screenwriting process via a staged reading for the dry comedy TV pilot Psyched.
My name is Marianne McLoughlin and I’m producing this event on this Friday June 28th that I’d like to invite local creatives to.
This is part of the Geelong Arts Centre Launchpad initiative. As a vibrant platform for Geelong voices, local creatives feedback would be invaluable in shaping where this goes next.
DATE: Friday June 28
TIME: 7pm-8pm
LOCATION: The Open House @ Geelong Arts Centre.
Geelong Writer Serah Nathan is giving an intimate glimpse into the evolution of her compelling series in development, Psyched. It dives into the story of heartbroken Alina on New Years Eve, who checks herself into a psychiatric hospital in a twisted effort to win back her ex boyfriend – only to realise other people have bigger issues than her own.
Actors will play multiple roles, with lighting and sound design to immerse you. After the performance, an optional facilitated feedback session commences with four targeted questions. Your insights will directly influence Serah’s next draft as she continues developing this promising series. The cast includes Eliza Matengu (Thor: Love &Thunder; Swift Street, Scrublands), Ben Ashby (Wellington Paranormal) and Manali Datar (Golddigers, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child).
“I was born in Pakistan, and it became hard for my mum to look after her four children by herself. It was dangerous in Pakistan because there were many terrorist groups, and we had to flee.” Rezai Rehman (left), aged 16, came to Australia ten years ago.
Last Thursday, Rezai and other students at Northern Bay College came together to host an art exhibition and film festival celebrating the start of Refugee Week.”It was a great event because the wider community came together to see the lives of refugees who are living in their own backyard. Events like this are important for our community to show understanding and to put a spotlight on some of the experiences.Stories WIthout Borders, which was the name of our event, really paid tribute to the 650 students at Northern Bay who come from a refugee or asylum seeker background.
The art installations and films allowed students to creatively share their journeys and experiences, both good and not good.
HuG 