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Local musician Rach Brennan has had a passion for singing and songwriting from a very young age, and she is back and better than ever with her band ‘Rach Brennan and The Pines’ to debut her new single ‘Hindsight’ off her upcoming debut album ‘Here’s to Better Times and Seeing Better Places.’

Rach Brennan adds boppy vocals and guitar to accompany the band, who, including Rach have a total of five members.

The playful fourth single is a fresh new take on the classic coming of age tale many of us have become accustomed to and is the fourth single to be released from their upcoming album.

Continue reading “Rach Brennan & the Pines, update.” →

An artist is someone who is free, who doesn’t hide behind veils of being politically correct or socially appropriate.  An artist is someone fearless who tells the truth. Enrico Santucci is one of those artists who is not hiding behind a veil. Actually, you learn much from Enrico in an hour long visit and he strikes you with his talents, knowledge, honesty and enthusiasm. Enrico has green fingers, too.

Enrico Santucci is originally from Italy and came to Geelong in the 1990s at the time of the collapse of the Pyramids Building Society in Geelong.  Enrico has loved Australia since his childhood days in Italy when he would watch TV programs about kids and their activities after school.  He learned about Aussie youngsters who surfed after school and his dream became to live and work in Australia.  After many years Enrico retired to use his talents in photography and gardening.

Continue reading “Photographer, Enrico.” →

Six talented students from Christ the King Primary School in Newcomb will be travelling to Nepal in May to coach and mentor Nepali children in the field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics). How did this amazing opportunity come about? “It’s the result of 3 years of hard work in First Lego League,” teacher Aisha Kristiansen tells us.

“The first project in 2017 focused on ‘Animal Allies’ and was based on a problem that was affecting our bay, the Northern Pacific Sea Star – the rabbit of the marine world. The students worked with Deakin University to develop an underwater robot.

Continue reading “First Lego League opportunity.” →

“I like to support young, local Jazz artists. For example, I nominated Lucy Head to be featured by Humans in Geelong last year.” I had the pleasure of meeting acclaimed Jazz Musician, Classical Composer and Theatre Producer, Callum Watson, 21, of Torquay, at the Geelong Library.

Callum tells us about his passion and an exciting live Jazz line-up planned for the forth Sunday of the next 3 months, from 1pm at the Black Hatt. ‘The Geelong Jazz Soirees’ will be a series of 3 events with Shandelle McGennisken (Cooke), Wayne Jury and Rob Gador & Sean Loughran. The first in the series is this Sunday, March 24^th.

Continue reading “Jazz, Callum Watson” →

“I sold my house and business and moved to Nepal to give back to these amazing people. It was a tough decision, but boy, have I been rewarded for it. Now, Nepal is my home.” I had the pleasure of catching up with inspiring, local hero, Steve Beatty who founded ‘We all Rotate’ in Nepal, after the 2015 Earthquake. It’s a charity whose main aim is to sponsor children through school in Kathmandu.

“There are about 65 children who we sponsor. I meet with their families and we form relationships. These relationships include the sponsors who get to see monthly videos; starting with meet the family at home, to the students proudly talking about their report cards. There are many children who need sponsorship but we want to focus on quality and place these students in to good private schools where we can. Most of the students come from families where there has been the loss of a loved one or illness. It is such a relief for the family to know that someone is providing education for their child.

Continue reading “We All Rotate, update, Steve.” →

People of Geelong, we are all invited to attend the Open Day tomorrow at Geelong’s Mosque to stand in solidarity and unity with our friends, the local Muslim community. Already well-wishers are leaving flowers and posting notes of support and love at the Mosque. The Mosque, 45 Bostock Ave. Manifold Heights, will be open tomorrow from 10-4pm. There will be a special memorial service to honour the lives lost in Christchurch from about 12.30-2pm. PLEASE SHARE! All Welcome!

Shaykh Mohammad Ramzan told me “The horrific event that unfolded yesterday in Christchurch, New Zealand is clearly a dark moment not only for the Muslims and people of New Zealand but also for people here in Australia and especially the Muslim community of Australia.

Continue reading “Geelong’s Mosque.” →

“I’m stoked to be appointed as the Australian representative for the UN, and I plan to speak to over 15,000 young people around the country to gauge their concerns.  But I am also excited about being on the Your Choice Our Future Geelong panel discussion with such an impressive group of young change-makers.  I think Geelong is an important regional centre and what our youth think here is relevant to the rest of the country.  I think that the discussions we have will have a ripple effect and hopefully impact on other youth in the area.” Kareem El-Ansary tells us.

This should be a fantastic event that will stimulate discussion and public discourse around issues of identity, social isolation, racism and fear as well as social inclusion, youth empowerment and leadership.

The Panel Discussion is the final aspect of the Your Choice Our Future youth project, run by FAIR. It’s a public forum, styled on ABC’s Q and A program, hosted by Hamish Macdonald (from The Project), which will be held at the Geelong Regional Library 11am on Thursday 21 March 2019 which is Harmony Day.

Continue reading “Your Choice Our Future, Kareem.” →

“An Army of Thousands. On March the 3rd, 2019 it was estimated that over two thousand people gathered at Torquay Beach from all parts of the Great Ocean Road and beyond. These included surfers, leaders, eco warriors, artists, photographers, mothers, fathers, children, brothers, sisters, friends and cousins. Not one turns their back on their homeland. Why? Fight for the Bight!” implores Photographer and Humans in Geelong team member, Mollie Vaughan. We find out more from Fight for the Bight.

“Norwegian company Equinor is planning to drill for oil in the Great Australian Bight. We want Equinor to back off. The Bight is no place for risky deep-water drilling. You probably remember images of BP’s Deep water Horizon explosion in the US. It was an environmental disaster, spewing millions of litres of oil into the Gulf of Mexico.”

“If we don’t stop Equinor, this could happen in the Great Australian Bight. In November, the ABC revealed a leaked internal report, prepared by Equinor, that showed an oil spill in the Bight could reach as far as Sydney’s beaches, and completely encircle Tasmania.” Follow Fight for the Bight and Damien Cole to find out about their next action scheduled for March 24th at St Kilda Beach, Melbourne.

Continue reading “Fight for the Bight.” →

“We, the students of Geelong, invite you to come along and continue to fight for our future on the global Climate Strike day, March 15^th, 9am outside of Richard Marles’ office! 17A Yarra St. Geelong, 3220. We will be learning about climate change, making posters and discussing solutions to the climate crisis.

“This event is open to people of all ages, not just youth, and we encourage anybody who is concerned about climate change to attend. There is power in numbers and we need to show that we are powerful and united on this issue!

“Hope to see you there!” https://www.facebook.com/events/274617493220288/

The #schoolstrike in Melbourne is also March 15^th from midday outside the Old Treasury Building, 20 Spring St. Melbourne, 3002. All invited! #schoolstrike4climate #FridaysForFuture

Greta Thunberg who founded the #schoolstrike4climate has her first TED talk just out. https://www.ted.com/talks/greta_thunberg_the_disarming_case_to_act_right_now_on_climate