HuG

For those who love performing or viewing live music, the thought of months of lockdown could have broken them; not the talented and enterprising Matilda Hassall. Matilda was driven to start @undertherug.venue on Instagram where Geelong musicians and artists could keep connected and keep performing.

On Fridays, throughout lockdown, four bands or musicians live streamed ‘music magic’ from their loungerooms, garages or decks via the free, all ages, virtual venue so as not to be swept ‘Under the Rug’. Matilda tells us of their last hoorah:

“Under the Rug is calling it quits on the regular Friday Instagram lives – however, we want to go out with a bang. We are hosting one last live-streamed finale event on this Friday July 3rd. The ‘Rugged Up’ Livestream Finale will present 20min back-to-back sets from local artists and abroad – all fresh faces to Under the Rug! Go to our Instagram page @undertherug.venue for the full details.

Continue reading “Under the Rug, Matilda.” →

Matt Bonner, Projection Artist, talks to us about his life and creative passion

Even if you haven’t heard of Matt Bonner before, you’ve more than likely seen his artwork. His projections on public spaces have captured the imagination and inspired many at local events over the past decade; Geelong Christmas celebrations, Geelong After Dark, National Reconciliation Week, the ANZAC Centenary commemorations, and White Night Ballarat to name a few.  Matt is a man of many talents, and has found a way to combine them all.

Continue reading “Matt Bonner, Projection Artist.” →

“Thank you, you have become my Australian family.” This was the heart-warming response from a refugee who was participating in the Deakin CREATE program over lockdown. He’d moved, by himself, to Geelong only a few months prior.

Deakin CREATE – Centre for Refugee Employment, Advocacy, Training and Education was founded February 2019 to support local refugees and asylum seekers in finding meaningful employment or higher education. It is run under the School of Business and Law and offers a number of services including a free careers clinic.

Karen, Luke and Alex coordinate the 7-week free careers clinic, a new addition to CREATE. It was due to run when covid lockdown struck and in 4 days it had to be turned in to an online clinic. “We found this had a silver lining as there were many benefits, including offering support for socially isolated new arrivals. Currently it is run in Victoria but could be run nationally. We can see the clinic eventually moving to a blended mode.”

Continue reading “Deakin CREATE.” →

“One year a wave washed in so far that it almost put our fire out and got spectators shoes wet!! We were all cracking up about it and thought it had to be a cheeky message from Shaun.”

Carlo Lowdon tells us about the Bells Beach 50 Year Storm Invitational big wave event (@bellsbeach50yearstorm), a local surfing community initiative opening up important conversations about mental health. More than that, it commemorates a life that was tragically lost, and symbolises the hope and support of people who care.

“The idea of a big wave surf event dedicated to Shaun Brooks who died after a long battle with his mental health, was initially founded by Gareth Habelle (@habbertron).

Continue reading “Bells Beach 50 Year Storm: We Surf For Mental Health” →

Thanks Trevor Pescott, for generously sharing all your knowledge. Trevor, the ‘birdman’, recently celebrated 60 years of writing a weekly Friday column about birds and wildlife in the Geelong Advertiser. Trevor was happy to share his anniversary piece with Humans in Geelong. “If there was any benefit for active birdwatchers from coronavirus lockdown, it was that it encouraged us to look closer to home than usual.

“So, on one sunny morning in early May I decided it was time to refill the several birdbaths in our little Belmont garden. As I did so, I saw a flicker of movement in the shadow and to my astonishment, I realised it was a rose robin, the first I’ve seen here in Belmont. It was a ‘brown bird’ a juvenile, possibly on its first jaunt away from the dense Otways forest where it was born last spring.

Continue reading “Trevor Pescott the birdman.” →

Rug up and get out to your local beach tomorrow – it needs your help! In celebration of International Surfing day (Saturday 20^th June), Surfrider Foundation are encouraging you to get some gloves on, bring a bucket and clean up your beach. Make it a part of your walk, do it after a surf, go solo or with the family, but obviously maintain social distancing requirements while helping make your beach pristine. For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/301225657702538/

Photo: Lily Treacy

“We want to hear another one!” “We love the cats!” “I’ve got that book.” Cries of joy came from my students at school this week. Together we enjoyed the Geelong Cats Storytime thanks to their collaboration with our friends at Villawood. There are seven stories posted to date and all have brilliant positive messages which lead to great discussions. https://www.geelongcats.com.au/experience/community/resources/storytime

For example, this week is Refugee Week and to celebrate, Rhys Stanley reads ‘I am Australian too’ by local author Mem Fox. The book supports Australia’s cultural diversity and ‘The Year of Welcome’.

Indigenous player Quinton Narkle reads ‘I love me’ by Sally Morgan and Ambelin Kwaymullina in recognition of National Reconciliation Week. Cam Guthrie reads ‘Ali the Shiny Sparkly Unicorn’ by local author Ali Villani and Nic Cunningham, which has the message, be bold, be brave, be kind and most importantly, be yourself!

Continue reading “Geelong Cats Storytime.” →

This week is Men’s Health Week and Geelong group Right Mate are posting information and strategies each day of the week. “Suicide safety plans – Time to get deep. It’s an uncomfortable topic yes but here at Right Mate, we’re strong advocates for making you comfortable to speak about the uncomfortable.

The reality is that 6 out of the 8 suicides on average EVERY DAY here in Australia…are men or boys, so we need to talk about safety plans as a way of potentially reducing those numbers and below are some tips to consider from the awesome people at Mensline –

Continue reading “Men’s Health Week.” →

Good news! Adyan and his family can stay in Geelong. They were granted permanent residency on June 11, 2020 at 6pm. This is yet another example of community support and people power. Mahedi, Adyan’s father, tells us “I am very grateful to Humans in Geelong for being the first to share our story and for encouraging people to sign the petition to let Adyan stay. I’d like to thank the people of Geelong for standing by us and supporting us during this critical period of uncertainty. Our family will continue to work for the development of Geelong as we are eternally grateful.”

Here is our original story from Mahedi, posted Nov 1^st 2019: “A minor disability should not be a reason for deportation. Let our family and our little son, Adyan stay in our hometown Geelong. PLEASE SHARE. We love Geelong and Australia, and think of it as our home. I have completed my PhD in engineering here, and my wife who is qualified as a Doctor in Bangladesh is studying to be a registered GP here. We are hardworking, self-sufficient parents who have built a life for our son in this beautiful country, we will have the means to pay for any physio that Adyan requires.

“Adyan was born in Geelong on 26 December 2013, our own Boxing Day miracle. Due to a mild stroke that he suffered during delivery, Adyan lives with a minor disability, mainly in his left hand. Because of this, the Government is trying to deport our entire family to Bangladesh.

Continue reading “Adyan and family can stay.” →

“My plea is for women in the City of Greater Geelong to seriously consider nominating for the local government election to be held in October. If not this year, then seek out and support other candidates, and certainly consider the 2024 elections. The argument for gender equality on Council has passed, it is now time for achievement.” We hear from Priscilla Pescott, a member of WILD Women in Local Democracy. WILD encourage and support women who are running for Geelong Council.

“In Victoria, only 38% if all councillors are women, and sadly the City of Greater Geelong is well behind that figure. To be successful in increasing the number of women councillors, there must be a significant increase in female candidates.

“The State Government proceeding with local government elections this year puts women candidates at a further disadvantage. Obviously, it favours sitting candidates who are already well known in the community and disadvantages new candidates who have a short time to build a profile.

Continue reading “WILD Women in Local Democracy, 2020.” →