A class human
OVER the past two years, the highly impressive “Humans in Geelong” movement has gained momentum, founded by Jacqui Bennett (pictured).
With the appropriate acronym ‘HuG’, I was curious to learn more about Jacqui and the movement she has created.
When you meet Jacqui, you’re in for a lively, engaging and ultimately humbling conversation.
To help understand her passion, first some background. Trained as a teacher, Jacqui together with economist husband Rob worked and travelled during the 1990s as Rob completed research on the economies of such diverse places as Egypt, Qatar, Russia, Thailand and the Caribbean.
While Rob worked on these assignments, Jacqui often volunteered teaching and engaged with small communities, developing a deep respect for the positive work locals do and observing the goodness of humanity.
Such experiences, interlaced with her own inherent human qualities, sowed seeds for what was to come.
Roll forward a decade or so. Family, work and general living were travelling along well. Then life threw up three lots of sad news in quick succession.
Together with the seeming continuing flow of bad world news, the existential ‘what’s it all about’ question arose for Jacqui.
Her response in something of a ‘eureka’ moment was to create a focus on the good in our community — where people and organisations who were doing good in our community could be celebrated and their stories told. Humans in Geelong was born.
Inspired by — but not the same as — “Humans in Melbourne” and “Humans of New York”, Jacqui set about developing a Geelong iteration.
With no budget and — at that time — only her two hands, phone, computer, pen and paper, Jacqui started making phone calls, conducting interviews and publishing online on the then newly-created HuG FaceBook page.
Two years later, just over 280 stories have been published online on the HuG page and website. Two or three stories are added every week. From grassroots to higher profile people, the diversity is extensive and stories of what Geelong people are doing are truly inspiring.
Jacqui is humble and often unobtrusive but her enthusiasm is infectious and people are drawn to her.
Captured by her vision, many other like-minded Geelong people have been inspired to join HuG, with photographers, interviewers, editors and general helpers freely offering their time.
Underlying Jacqui’s interest in people and her inherent compassion, is a deep-seated passion and drive to make a difference.
This has developed into the HuG aim to “inspire, connect and strengthen our community.”
People who know and work alongside Jacqui speak warmly of her determination and her indefatigable focus on the positive.
Photographer Phil Hines, who has been involved from the start, says “Jacqui has that ‘certain thing’ that you just want to be involved.” He also describes Jacqui as not being easily put off and as the ultimate problem solver, always finding a different angle.. If Plan A B doesn’t work out, Jacqui has Plans C, D E. Bec Picone of the Peace of Mind Foundation - an inspiring story in its own right - describes Jacqui as “.. one of the most driven, positive and passionate women I’ve met, and a wonderful mentor. Always happy, an inspirational role model of what it means to have a dream and bring it to life”. Two major undertakings currently sit on HuG’s agenda. The publication of an educational 200-page book, with uplifting stories aimed at arousing feelings, opening minds and stimulating positive change. A project in the recent Victorian Government “Pick my Project” round has many fingers crossed at HuG. But then again, there is always plans C, D or E. Also, on Sunday October 7 at Deakin Waterfront, the second Humans in Geelong Expo promises to be marvellous, featuring 17 speaker sessions, 10 performances and 45 exhibitors, all from Geelong. Humans in Geelong has largely flown under the radar but is a stunning Geelong success story in its own right. Jacqui Bennett has spent the past few years shining a light on what is good and wonderful about Geelong. Should Jacqui find that light shining upon herself, it would only be momentary as she would quickly re-direct it onto the next good person.