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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.” →

“Heal thy Self ~ Heal Mother Earth!” That is Mark Randall’s favourite quote that has come into my consciousness. “Through tragic events, the World connects, with compassion for humanity and our planet. World Heart of Connection Day is bringing that same sense of compassion and humanity by uniting at a synchronised time, to meditate and radiate love and blanket Mother Earth with collective healing.

“Together we can make a difference. Everyone is welcome from midday, with a prompt 12.30 start to the Bunya Lawn at the Geelong Botanical Gardens on Wednesday 4^th of September. Our special guest MC is radiant @RoxieBennett. Among others, live music, will be performed by by Colleen McCosh, Niki Humm & @lukemassey 11 year old daughter Zara.

“At precisely 1pm there will be 11 minutes of guided meditation which will finish at 1:11pm.  Crystal sound bowls for sound healing will be played.” We hear more from organiser Mark Randall.

Continue reading “World Heart of Connection Day, Mark.” →

“The Fire Ants are a horrible pest: they are hard to detect, difficult to kill and spread like… well… fire. They are one of the world’s most invasive species.”

Valentina Di Marco is a mother, a world citizen, a Geelong local, and a scientist, whose skills are currently helping to solve one of Australia’s largest environmental problems caused by a relatively small pest; Fire Ants.  If you haven’t heard of Fire Ants before, Valentina explains just how much of a risk they pose.

“In highly infested areas, all outdoor activities, such as barbecues, picnics and sporting events may no longer be possible. Their bite is really painful, and this is where their name comes from as the sting sensation is similar to a burn. They are aggressive and push away other species that are a useful part of the ecosystem. They can also cause serious damage to electrical equipment. I think it is a lot of fun applying some very theoretical mathematical knowledge in getting rid of such a menace!”

Valentina has found a research project that could have an immediate and positive impact on our environment.

Continue reading “The Fire Ants, Valentina.” →

Humans in Geelong team members @kimelisecooper and @thejessemalthouse are producing volgs (video blogs) to help inspire, connect and strengthen our community. You can catch up with these two amazing stars at our Humans in Geelong Expo 2019 on Sun 6 Oct 10-3pm Deakin Waterfront. Kim is our MC and Jesse will be delivering an inspiring talk, the time of which will be confirmed on our website. Both will also be at the Humans in Geelong Book Launch, where Kim will be the MC and singing. Thanks for following Humans in Geelong and sharing our stories!

Geelong Design Week will be held from 19-29 March 2020. Humans in Geelong pride ourselves on being creative and doing things differently. We’ll be putting in a submission to participate, will you?

“The inaugural theme for Geelong Design Week 2020 is ‘doing it differently’. We are all designers in our own way. Each of us has an intrinsic design connection that gives structure to how we live, work, learn and play. In March 2020, Geelong Design Week will explore new ideas, challenge what is possible and showcase our design achievements. Geelong is an evolving, dynamic city with a deep sense of place and a strong industrial past. We embrace change to build a clever and creative future.” We hear from Nerilee Jones of the City of Greater Geelong.

“Applications are now open at www.geelongdesignweek.com.au and will close on September 30 so there’s plenty of time to get your submission in. I encourage you to talk about Geelong Design Week with your friends, work colleagues and wider community networks. We invite you to work with us in building a quality program that is representative of the amazing talent and stories to share in the Geelong community.”

Geelong Mayor added in a post on Aug 15, “It is a chance to showcase why we are Australia’s only UNESCO city of design.”

Story: Jacqui Bennett. Photo: supplied