HuG

I’ve battled with anxiety and depression, or as I like to call it, the noise in my head, in various forms for as long as I can remember and then in September 2016, two of my mates committed suicide in short succession which sent me into a downward spiral that almost saw me go down the same path. But I’m one of the lucky ones…I’ve been given a second chance and I came to the realisation that we need to change the narrative; we need to stop this! So, I started The Man Walk Geelong. PLEASE SHARE. It’s a free weekly walk for men with an ethos of walk, talk, support. It’s a safe space.

If you are finding life a bit tough or just want to start your day with a good walk, a laugh and a chat, please join us no matter your age or background. It’s every Saturday at 7am from the Eastern Beach Fountain. We offer an environment that is all welcoming and free of judgement – our aim is to encourage all men to talk and to realise that you aren’t alone.

Everyone we speak to has a story and storytelling is the best way to break down stigma.

Continue reading “The Man Walk Geelong, Chris.” →

Would you like to find out more about Humans in Geelong? Would you like to be inspired by locals and feel more connected to your community? Would you like to focus on positivity? Come and meet Humans in Geelong team members Brandon Dellow, Bec Picone and Jacqui Bennett at the Waurn Ponds Library next Wednesday 24th July at 6pm. Hear our free, inspiring presentation.

We’ll share why we saw the need to start this project. We’ll introduce you to some of the amazing locals we’ve featured. We’ll emphasise the importance of focusing on ‘good news’.

Continue reading “Humans in Geelong library presentation.” →

“Geelong has been our first and only home in Australia. That is where I have learnt about Australian culture, understanding the language, meeting friends, and meeting the community.”

Mahdi Alizada is a 16 year old Afghani refugee living in Geelong. Mahdi, along with his mother, father and five other siblings came to Australia almost 3 years ago through UNHCR. He attends Northern Bay College Goldsworthy Campus in Corio.

“I was born in Ghazni, Afghanistan. I started school at around the age of 7. When I got older at around 10 or 11, I used to work in my uncle’s grocery shop, helping him clean and organise the shop and sell things to customers. When it was night time, that was time to go home.

Continue reading “Mahdi Alizada.” →

When I met Darren Grayson, I immediately felt comfortable and valued. This kind, caring man made me feel the same way he would make all his friends and clients feel; loved. He went to St Joseph’s College and proudly remembers a Year 11 careers assignment where he listed his top 3 careers; hairdresser, interior designer and architect. Congratulations Darren on achieving your aims!

“I’d not long started hairdressing and was in America for the Hairdressing World Championships. I boldly strolled down Rodeo Drive, Beverley Hills with blonde ‘Wham’ hair flowing. I put my resume in to Vidal Sassoon and would you believe it, I was invited back! But Mum didn’t want me to leave Geelong that young, so she set me up with my own Salon in Gheringhap St. I was just 21.

Continue reading “Darren Grayson” →

Samaritan House Geelong continued to be under high demand over the Christmas and New Year period to support homeless men. Our vision is that “No homeless man need sleep rough in Geelong” and Tim Wilson & his team of volunteers so their best to achieve this 

We consistently have over 80% occupancy – in February 2019, it was 95% – and often completely full. The reason we are not 100% all the time – which we could well be – is that our guest mix is carefully managed to ensure safety for guests and our overnight volunteers. Continue reading “Samaritan House update.” →

Meet Niki, Geelong single Mum of two. After having recovered from a second brain surgery, she now plans to trek the El Camino to raise awareness and funds for sufferers of aneurysms and its survivors.

4 years ago whilst being treated for MS, an MRI revealed that Niki had a terminal ICA aneurysm. She was referred to the neurosurgery unit and it became evident that surgical clipping was her only option. Niki had her first surgery almost two years later, the delay came about due to her mother passing away and not having support available for her then 8 year old daughter, who is neuro-diverse and requires a lot of support.

Continue reading “Aneurysm Awareness, Niki” →

“Don’t underestimate the power of the things that make you happy. You don’t always need to look ahead, at the future, sometimes you must look at the present. What makes you happy today? Cherish it, pursue it! The rest will work itself out.”

Gypsy Akhyar grew up in Norlane and went to Norlane West Primary School (now Northern Bay College Peacock Campus), then on to the Goldsworthy campus for senior school. “I was a bit of a lazy kid when it came to schoolwork but that changed towards VCE when it all started becoming real.”

Graduating as Dux of Northern Bay College in 2018, Gypsy is now studying a Bachelor of Science degree at The University of Melbourne, intending to major in Pure Mathematics. “My goal for the future is to actually become an academic! You’d think that after 13 years of school I’d want to get into the workforce, but I have a very strong passion for learning, and I’d love to stay and write papers and teach at university. I’m not sure what degrees I’ll complete after my undergraduate, but I’d like to do an honours year so that I can write my own paper on maths, maybe following that, I’ll go straight to my masters, or maybe I’ll take an interim to pursue my other passion of Philosophy. I guess I’ll have to just wait and see!”

Continue reading “Gypsy Akhyar” →

Before he turned 16, Greg Roberts left school in Ballarat and trained as a potter.  A few years into his training in pottery he began practicing Tai-Chi, a form of martial arts embracing the mind, body and spirit.  Greg grew to learn the art and practiced daily.  A move to Barwon Heads from Ballarat prompted Greg to begin teaching Tai-Chi on the Bellarine Peninsula.

At this time, Greg also began looking into other career options.  He trained in massage therapy and gained certification as a personal care attendant which saw him working closely with people in community health centres, aged care settings and disability services.  In these roles, Greg noticed that people were drawn to him to talk about their issues and concerns.  This prompted Greg to complete a Social Work degree at Deakin University.  He felt drawn to the elements of reflective practice and counselling within this profession.  During this time, he took on roles at both the Geelong Hospital and Bethany.

During a meeting at the Geelong Hospital Greg had a serendipitous moment when sitting in the cafeteria.

Continue reading “Greg Roberts” →

In an Australian first, Geelong Cats match days and major events produced by Kardinia Park Stadium Trust are accredited as sensory inclusive at GMHBA Stadium. This is the first permanent sensory zone in the country at a major stadium. PLEASE SHARE!

Sarah Albon tells us more, “It started with a letter from a Dad who had dreamed of taking his son to the footy, ever since he first held his baby boy in his arms. But as the boy grew, it became evident that the noise, crowds and excitement of a match would be too much for him. This letter led us to forming a steering committee, looking for best practise; which we found in the US, at Kulture City visionaries, lots of generous in-kind support from builders and groups fitting out our Sensory Room and training for over 500 people.

“At one match, an 18 year old customer service representative recognised that a child in the crowd needed support and let the family know about the Sensory Room. Families can visit the room on the Thursday school from 4.00pm – 5.00pm in the lead up to a match, so the children can familiarise themselves with the space and all it has to offer. Online at https://www.geelongcats.com.au/ticketing/grounds/gmhba-stadium/accessibility you can download the ‘visiting GMHBA stadium social story’ and there is also a virtual tour of the room. The Cats ambassadors for the program are Gary Rohan and Cassie Blakeway.

Continue reading “Geelong Cats’ Sensory Room” →

Meet Robert Palmer, our new, inspirational team member of Humans in Geelong. He’s giving us a challenge – 2 SHORT TASKS TO BOOST YOUR BRAIN. Can you name 5 parts of your body? Now can you name 5 parts of your brain?

Don’t you think it strange that we know so little about the command centre for our entire being? The brain is by far the most powerful computer in the world – and it’s made of meat!

For more than 40 years, local, Robert Palmer has been collecting, creating and sharing ‘brain building’ activities. This started when a young student showed him that 1 + 1 = WINDOW, and that half of 8 was 3 (or zero).

These investigations helped to underpin the success of students who applied for scholarships and sought-after places at private schools and universities.

Continue reading “Robert Palmer” →