Variety the spice of life in Geelong
PEOPLE of all talents and backgrounds gathered to celebrate the region’s diversity at the second annual Humans in Geelong event yesterday.
The festival more than doubled its inaugural attendance figure, attracting more than 3000 people over the course of the day.
Held at Deakin University’s Waterfront Campus, there were 45 exhibitors, 17 guest speakers and 12 live performances offering back-toback music, fun and dancing in the courtyard.
Humans in Geelong founder Jacqui Bennett said she started the Facebook page two years ago after being inspired by a Melbourne page of the same name.
“We tell the stories of people in our community that are making a difference and from those stories have come the exhibitors and the speakers for the event,” she said.
“Our aim is to inspire, connect and strengthen our community, and we are really pleased with how it’s all going.”
Geelong mental health advocate Tony McManus, a guest speaker, said by helping to promote inclusion and acceptance, the event was also helping improve wellbeing.
“From a mental health perspective, the main thing I chat about is overcoming the issue of isolation and the solution is social connection,” he said.
“An event like Humans in Geelong is a perfect mental health solution for the community.”