HuG

Random Acts of Kindness – To raise awareness of Ramadan, peace and unity. Team member Brandon Dellow, along with Roghayeh, and Ramatullah gave out small bunches of flowers with messages of love and acceptance as a Random Act of Kindness, down at Geelong’s Waterfront. Brandon tells us:

“We met people, and talked to them about Ramadan, as well as just the generally wishing them a good day and sharing a smile. We all had warm hearts to see how appreciative people were to these random acts. I was also surprised to find that some people didn’t want to accept random gifts because they felt they didn’t deserve them, they wanted them to be gifted to someone else more deserving.

“One family was blown away that this happened to them, and couldn’t believe it would happen to them. Another asked where the cameras were. There was a total of 33 interactions.

Continue reading “Random Acts of Kindness.” →

On Monday 27th of May, in the lead up to the exciting presentation at the Victorian Government’s ‘Creative Sate Summit’, founder of Humans in Geelong, Jacqui Bennett, spoke with Mitchell Dye of The Pulse.

The podcast can be listened to here: http://mitchellsfrontpage.com/humans-in-geelong-to-talk-at-creative-state-summit/

Team members presenting at the Summit, from left, are Althea Abraham, Jacqui Bennett, Kim Cooper, Jesse Malthouse and Rini Lombard. Photo: Phil Hines Photography. Thanks Royal Geelong Yacht Club for letting us use your facilities to practice in front of our team.

Jacqui also spoke to Roxie Bennett and Daryl Reader on Bayfm. That podcast can be heard here: https://soundcloud.com/user-477864175/hug-on-bayfm-27519

We’d like to thank our team and the community for all the support.

Earlier this year, our gorgeous team member, Bec Thompson’s world was turned upside down after being diagnosed with cancer. Now, the 35-year-old is eager to raise awareness and encourage people to get their eyes tested and undergo regular health checks. PLEASE SHARE. The good news is, she’s undergone an op and hasn’t lost her eye.

As a writer, Bec’s usually the one asking all the questions. But here, she shares some of her journey with us…

~ Bec, how are you doing? ~

I’m ok. Sometimes it all feels a bit like a dream. I haven’t walked with cancer at close quarters before, so the learnings are many. Tell you what; the word ‘journey’ is perfect to describe this cancer caper. My emotions have generally been positive, but there have been some dark, down days. I’ve tried to treat the whole shebang as an adventure and learning experience, with a decent sprinkle of humour thrown in. Surprisingly (I’m a late adopter), social media, particularly Instagram, has been a helpful tool for me to process the journey, and to offer updates.

Continue reading “Regular eye and health checks, Bec.” →

Geelong Sustainability continues to inform, inspire and connect our community. We can’t thank them enough for being our Auspice for the State Government Grant ‘Pick My Project’, this will enable us to print the Humans in Geelong Book.

Like many socially progressive community groups, Geelong Sustainability are convinced of the truth in Margaret Mead’s famous quote. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Join their movement and be inspired by their events and opportunities.

FARMING SUSTAINABLY – Can farming be profitable and sustainable in the age of climate change? One local farming family says, yes it can! The Stewart family has been farming for five generations on their 230 hectare property, nestled in the Otway Ranges. Andrew and Jill Stewart farm sheep and trees on their property, Yan Yan Gurt West Farm in Deans Marsh. Their unusual but effective approach combines conservation and forestry.

Continue reading “Geelong Sustainability update.” →

There is nothing more empowering than student voice. This is what Cameron, Grade 7 at Northern Bay College, had to say about the Kids Thrive program. “We are so fortunate to have had this program at Wexford, so the kids have an opportunity to make a change in the community. If we didn’t have this program us kids would never have known that we can make a change in the community or have an impact on people in the community such as the elderly and new refugees to Australia.

“It’s up to this generation of kids to continue on giving to the community like the older generation and to make an even bigger impact than the older generation.

“We can make changes to others and the environment. It was such an amazing experience. I would now be happy to volunteer to help others make a change.”

Continue reading “Kids as Catalysts, NBC.” →

Be inspired! Humans in Geelong are SO excited to be presenting at Creative Victoria’s ‘Creative State Summit’. We’ll be showcasing our #clevercreative Geelong and our amazing, inspirational locals. Our 45-minute ‘Good News’ presentation by team members, is on Friday 31^st May at 2pm. PLEASE SHARE. We hope you can make it along to support us!

We’ll explain how Humans in Geelong (HuG) inspires, connects and strengthens our community. The Humans in Geelong team use the powerful medium of storytelling to create positive social change by sharing the inspirational stories of locals. We’ll showcase our innovative multi-media model, its successes and how it can be replicated elsewhere. Be swept away by the HuG movement!

Continue reading “Creative State Summit 2019.” →

BE DRAGONS is a six-part documentary series highlighting the inspirational players that make up Geelong’s first ever Football Integration Development Association, FIDA footy team!

Take a bunch of guys and girls who have been relegated to the sidelines their whole lives and give them a crack at participating in the game they love…that’s the premise behind Be Dragons and the FIDA league.

The Geelong Dragons are the first FIDA team in the Geelong region and we are delighted to be on board producing this heart-warming series.

The series showcases individual players as they share with us their lives, challenges and thrill at being included in a team competing in Australian Rules Football. Following the highs and lows of their maiden 2018 season, Be Dragons is an inspirational tale of inclusion, perseverance and friendship.

Continue reading “Be Dragons, update.” →

“I had never dealt with the legal system before, but with the support of the advocates at RIAC, the whole process was much easier to handle. Advocacy helped me stand up for my son’s rights and navigate unfamiliar territory,” states Liam’s mother Michelle, from Moriac. RIAC, the Rights, Information and Advocacy Centre, supported Liam McGarrigle’s family throughout an NDIS appeal to the Federal Court.

You may remember 21-year old Liam’s case of 2017. He has autism spectrum disorder and an intellectual disability. He required taxis because he can’t drive, and there was no public transport available. Liam had sought funding only for the transport costs incurred by using his NDIS plan to attend work, disability training and social groups.

RIAC has a team of Advocates who provide free support to people with disabilities. Their Advocates genuinely care about guiding people, through often complex processes, within systems to ensure the people they work with are not disadvantaged by their unique differences. They ensure human rights are upheld.

Continue reading “RIAC, Rights, Information, Advocacy Centre.” →

Caroline Danaher, 76, was arrested on Friday for staging a sit-in at Sarah Henderson MP’s Office. Caroline tells us “I was inspired by Greta Thunberg, student, from Sweden. I am concerned for the planet.

 

“Since January 4th, I’ve been sitting outside Sarah’s office each Friday. Each week I’ve taken a handwritten letter asking for a chance to express my concerns about the climate to Sarah, as one of her constituents. Sarah made an impromptu meeting and spoke to in passing but I’d like a scheduled meeting as I feel I haven’t been listened to.

Continue reading “Caroline.” →

On 24th April 2019, Natalina’s life was tragically taken. She was a Geelong local. She was the 21st woman this year, in Australia, to die from domestic violence. The current toll is at 23. She was 32 yrs old and came to Australia in 2000 as a refugee, fleeing war and poverty from her home in Sudan. She was a dental nurse student. She mothered her siblings and family. She was a woman of faith who was always cheerful and happy. She was dearly loved in her Sudanese-Australian community.

Her sister told news.com.au “She was a loving and caring sister, and a down-to-earth person, not a troublemaker. She loved everybody, even if someone did something bad to her, she would just talk and laugh with them.”

Continue reading “Natalina Angok.” →