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Humans of SKY and the Inner West

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25.01.2022 Happy 2021 everyone! How is everyone enjoying their weekend or post-Christmas leave so far? The Slow Food Melbourne market was at West Footscray yesterday, and I caught up with Yarraville local Marianne Feijten and her son Jake.... Marianne has been selling her blueberries from Kinglake Blueberries for the best part of five years, and you'd often see her sharing her posts on local inner west sites. Marianne and her partner's entrepreneurial spirit has rubbed off on young Jake, who has his own little business, Jake's Metal Recycling. The three of us got on video yesterday. Video timestamps: 0.03 - Hello Inner Westies, it's been awhile 0.50 - Introducing Marianne and Kinglake Blueberry 1.25 - Bring your own container, get a discount! 1.40 - How Covid has affected fruitpicking this summer season 2.10 - An opportunity for anyone to make some money (Kids and adults - all welcome). 3.05 - She even offers employer perks! :) 3.30 - Introducing Jake's Metal Recycling 4.20 - How it all started 5.30 - Where and how to dispose metal 6.50 - What Jake is saving the money for 7.24 - Where to find Marianne and Jake

24.01.2022 This is John. He's got a mask on. Be like John.... Put a f**king mask on. I hope everyone forget about their problems for five seconds, and all have a good laugh at my silly selfie. How is everyone coping? If anyone wants to chat, about parenting, kids, finance, drinking, Netflix, video games or even what to wear for a Zoom chat, reach out to me. Don't miss out on another Human story. Sign up for the Humans of SKY and the Inner West newsletter!! Visit www.humansofsky.com.au

24.01.2022 Posted with permission from Lucy via Maidstone Community Centre, as part of their 'People of Maidstone & Surrounds ' project. Lucy I have lived in West Footscray for 12 years. I am a parent of three teenagers and work both in and out of the area as a teacher and a yoga/qigong teacher which I have been doing locally for nearly six years at Dharma Circle.... These weeks have been particularly challenging as we had planned a studio reopening at Dharma Circle and had marketed, organised and set ourselves up to open. I had already had my students for one face to face session which was truely heart warming and precious, some of my students have been with me for 5 years. There is a real community at Dharma Circle, an authenticity and inclusivity. This week I had to adjust to the change, offer refunds and go back into surrender mode. What was interesting is watching my own emotions and those around me, go from disappointment to sadness, then anger to acknowledgment, release and surrender. As humans we need to be able to feel and not push away these challenging emotions or blame others which we can unconsciously slip into. It has been hard to watch this in my children as they are most effected and struggle already with emotional regulation. Sitting with emotions and letting them be felt and integrated has given me a greater understanding that we all are feeling this, so empathy and compassion arises which supports me to be less reactive and more contemplative and understanding. This has enabled me to reach out in many different ways to others around me, cooking, sharing goods, zooming donation classes and taking time to listen. The yoga/meditation practice has been a huge support to me as well as our local community of 3012. When classes start please support local business, it would be lovely to see locals come and explore the practice at Dharma Circle, it is an inclusive space and offers many styles of yoga open to all practitioners. Don't miss out on another Human story. Sign up for the Humans of SKY and the Inner West newsletter! Check out the website www.humansofsky.com.au See more

23.01.2022 Have a safe and happy holiday during this festive season. 2021 will be a better year for all. To all Inner Westie individuals, couples, families, businesses and wider community who have kindly given up their time and shared their stories with me this year - thank you.... 2021 will no doubt present her own challenges, but it cannot top the gauntlet we have all run this year. The Matara-Ng family John, Michele, Levi, Ayla and Jona See more

22.01.2022 Watching Dan deliver the new lockdown measures. I just laugh at the 8pm curfew. What? Like it's hard?... All parents with kids under 12yo are at home by 7pm anyway. Kids are showered, read to, and about to get into bed by 8pm. Boring parents like myself? I'm dozing off on the couch by 9ish pm, and struggling to keep my equally tired wife amused and awake!!! Jokes aside, 80% of us out there are doing the right thing anyway. Stage 4 lockdowns don't mean anything to most of us, as we're already living in Stage 4 lockdown measures. If you are not at home, when you should be, shame on you and I will go as far as dobbing you in. Stay safe, and be smart folks. Don't miss out on another Human story. Sign up for the Humans of SKY and the Inner West newsletter!! Visit my website www.humansofsky.com.au.

22.01.2022 This came up on my Facebook feed today. A year ago today, I was at the Battleship Missouri Memorial in Pearl Harbour. Post with pictures! ... C'mon Inner Westies, let's post some happy Sunday images!

21.01.2022 Eden Cox, resident of Footscray, history buff, one-time grave digger, op-shopper, coffee lover, editor of Traces Magazine Australia, mum of 2 ***** I was born in Melbourne, and have been here my entire life. Along with my younger brother, we grew up in Malvern, in a big Californian bungalow that was built in the interwar period....Continue reading

21.01.2022 Day One of Lockdown. Ver 2.0. Mental health issues are real. ... I am seeing a lot of anxiety, depression, and the loss of jobs/income really coming out in various guises. If anyone - and I mean ANYONE - Is feeling the stress they should never be afraid to reach out to someone. Or even myself. We should all remember to be kind and check in on our family, friends and even neighbours. ***** On a lighter note - These are my kids, and they're reacting in the best way possible. Who is approaching the next six weeks sensibly, gracefully and with LOADS AND LOADS of humour? Share with us below Don't miss out on another Human story. Sign up for the Humans of SKY and the Inner West newsletter! Check out the website www.humansofsky.com.au

19.01.2022 John McMahon, resident of Yarraville, former Trugo World Champion, Yarraville Trugo Club player, Victorian Trugo Association Treasurer I’m the oldest of three, and was born in Sale in 1929. Mum and Dad had moved there to get married, and that was where I was born. Mum is of Scottish and Swiss descent, and Dad’s of Irish descent. Their parents had migrated here in the migrated here due to the famine in Ireland. They settled in northern Victoria, but moved to Castlemaine after...Continue reading

19.01.2022 Jude van Daalen, resident of Altona, tsunami survivor, mother of two boys, business owner of The Melbourne Portrait Studio I was born in the Netherlands, in the city of Apeldoorn. I’ve never liked it as it’s a boring little city. When I was 17, I left home for a year as an au pair in Geneva, and when I returned, I moved to Utrecht. It’s a student town, and my friend’s parents had purchased a house there, and that’s where I stayed my whole uni time. Growing up wasn’t a happy ...Continue reading

18.01.2022 Hey Humans! Look what just came out from my oven? It's a cinnamon scroll with cream cheese frosting.... Tell us yours!! See more

17.01.2022 I had to get my eldest son Levi into this shot. This is my third trip to Yarraville Village in almost 60 days. I could not believe how desolate and deserted it is.... Can't believe it's Saturday evening. Prime time. And it's completely dead. Oh, for those wondering, we were picking up dinner at Friend or Pho. Stay safe. See more

16.01.2022 Zerin Jai English - mother of boys and the mayoress of Yarraville, Arlo the Pomeranian. Photographer, vegan, gym junkie, bloody pocket rocket and owner of HealThy Self Co. I was born in London and under protest immigrated to Adelaide with my family when I was 14 years old. I was quite a tomboy growing up and thanks to dad I’ve always followed Chelsea football club. Dad is a Turkish Cypriot and was 41 when he met mum in London whilst she was on a stint traveling from Borderto...wn S.A and they met and ‘BANG it was on!’ Two years later they had me and shortly after my brother Corey. Zerin means wildflower in Turkish or as mum likes to call me wild child! My first Chelsea game was in Mum’s stomach. She was heavily pregnant in standing room and mum feared that neither one was going to come out alive!! Mum suffered badly with SAD and depression and over the years we had tried every remedy under the sun to make her condition better but it just wasn’t to be. Moving to Adelaide was a last resort as we truly felt as if we would have otherwise lost her." ***** Check out the rest of Zerin's story, via the Humans of SKY website link below ***** One of Yarraville's most popular cafes and with over 30,000 followers across Facebook and Instargram, owner Zerin is a bubbly livewire who has made her business and cafe an image of her. Before Lockdown 2.0 happend again, we caught up in mid-June in the cafe and she told me her life story. Are you one of HealThy.Self Co's regulars? What's your favourite healthy food? Tell us about your experience! Say hi to Zerin if you see her in our community!! Don't miss out on another Human story. Sign up for the Humans of SKY and the Inner West newsletter!! Visit www.humansofsky.com.au

16.01.2022 Jude van Daalen, resident of Altona, business owner of the The Melbourne Portrait Studio During my trip around the world, I became a rescue diver in Cairns and started my Dive Master's course in Koh Phi Phi. Unfortunately I never became a Dive Master as the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004 hit as I was just doing my second dive into the course. I stayed in a refugee camp for a day as I lost everything. I was only in my bikini, had no passport, but once I got my refuge pap...ers I was lucky enough to get a flight out to Bangkok. The Dutch Embassy had left at every place they were supposed to be, so I had to beg for food for three days until my friend managed to arrange a flight back to the Netherlands. I was still in my bikini, and only had the blankets from the plane wrapped around me. I hadn't slept for days, but managed to convince the Dutch customs I am Dutch as I gave them specifics about where I lived and they finally let me in." ***** Back on lockdown doesn't mean my Human profiles stop. I've met each and every Human I've profiled so far, so this is the first time I've conducted an interview via Zoom. Jude is my lucky first!! She caught my attention over the weekend when she made a post about a hardcover Lockdown Photobook, and was trying to get the good word out. Look out for Jude's full story, really soon! Have you met, or engaged with, Jude in the last few years? Tell us about your experience!! Don't miss out on another Human story. Sign up for the Humans of SKY and the Inner West newsletter!! Check out the website www.humansofsky.com.au See more

16.01.2022 Humans of the Inner West - we need you! When two Humans of SKY alumnae tag team and power up! Long time readers and followers would remember:... Vera Xanthis - owner of Fig & Walnut, previously profiled on 19 August 2017 and Lindy Benwell - owner of The Lunch box, previously profiled on 17 December 2019 Lindy's school lunch business has been shut down since March, and when restrictions were lifted in June she had plans to restart her canteen business in Term 3. A whole heap of stock was purchase and made. Unfortunately, the new restrictions meant schools weren't open, and she has over 300 meals to sell. These meals are perfect for parents with kids!!! They're pre-cooked and frozen. All parents need to do is purchase and warm them up. My wife Michele and I have picked up the penne bolognaise and chicken goujons and they're DELISH!!! Fig and Walnut is not in operation, but Vera has kindly allowed Lindy to sell her frozen meals there. Vera, Lindy and a staff Liz are all at Fig and Walnut now. Again, the cafe is NOT open, and everyone is maintaining social distancing rules. If you are thinking of your lunch/dinner plans over the next few days, please PM Lindy at The Lunch box or reach out to her if you're friends with her :) The cafe is NOT open, and everyone is maintaining social distancing rules. Please PM Lindy at The Lunch box or reach out to her if you're friends with her :) Like, Share with your friends or tag someone you know who may appreciate this post!! Take care everyone. Don't miss out on another Human story. Sign up for the Humans of SKY and the Inner West newsletter!! Visit my website www.humansofsky.com.au.

15.01.2022 Posted with permission from Clara and her family, via Maidstone Community Centre, as part of their 'People of Maidstone & Surrounds ' project. Clara My name is Clara. I am 11 years old and was born in West Footscray. I am in grade 5 at Footscray West Primary School (F.W.P.S) and I am NOT looking forward to going back to online learning! ... I enjoy painting, playing with my dog Auggie and playing Roblox with friends. At the moment I’m feeling a bit down because of everything. I can’t see friends like normal and I’m getting VERY sick of my two annoying brothers. Things that I have enjoyed though are sleep ins, painting, seeing family more (like my doggo), going for walks, and helping Dad with Children’s time for Church. I’ve also been using A LOT of screens. I usually FaceTime my friend Ana while playing Roblox with her, or I go on TikTok!! Some positive things that I try to do to help me cope are Going for regular walks with either my mum and my dog or with a friend Socialising in the ways that are left, (like FaceTiming, playing Roblox with friends and things like that). Painting, it relaxes me and makes me feel good Having a dance party to get my nervous energy out of me (listening to Taylor Swift!!!!) I've reached out to others by keeping people company by FaceTiming. But I do know something that my mum has been doing, she has been doing grocery shopping for my grandparents. Don't miss out on another Human story. Sign up for the Humans of SKY and the Inner West newsletter! Check out the website www.humansofsky.com.au See more

13.01.2022 A few weeks ago, local business owners and residents of Maribyrnong turned up in Yarraville to sing and dance to our very own rendition of '12 Days of Christmas.' Penned by local singer and songwriter Rebecca Barnard, it's a festive nod to the terrific diversity of food and culture within Maribyrnong. A wonderful way to bring the community together.... Thanks to the team from Trade Creative who put this video together, and the City of Maribyrnong for organising this. Link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSRVMl_Vc-s&feature=youtu.be Who can you spot and recognise in the video? Lyrics: First day - Banh Mi in Barkly Street Second day - Fish and Chips in Seddon Third day - Parma in Yarraville Fourth day - Injera in Footscray Fifth day - Meat pie at the Whitten Sixth day - Pizza in Tottenham Seventh day - Pol Sambol in Braybrook Eighth day - Dumplings in Highpoint Ninth day - Pavlova in Maribyrnong Tenth day - Dosa in WeFO Eleventh day - Vegan in Maidstone Twelfth day - Souva in Kingsville Side note: Glad my horrible singing is drowned out by everyone else's dulcet tones!

13.01.2022 It's been awhile since we had takeaway from Under the sea fish 'n chips. Owner Tom was friendly and hospitable as usual., like I've been there everyday! Was a little early for dinner, so little Jona and I didn't have to wait too long. For the record, the kids had a kids pack each, while wife and I had grilled fish, salmon, brown rice and salad.... I know this is often asked in our local Buy Sell Swap pages, but I wana to stir the pot and ask: - Where is the Inner West's best fish and chips?? Don't miss out on another Human story. Sign up for the Humans of SKY and the Inner West newsletter!! Visit my website www.humansofsky.com.au. See more

13.01.2022 "Most readers - about 90% - we have are women over 60. I think when people get to a certain age, they want to find out their background, and they do their DNA tests. They fall into a rabbit hole of a very complex world of genealogy research, and it's quite an obsession." ***** "When we decided to buy a house, we looked in Richmond and the Inner East, but it was ridiculously expensive. One day we were driving through Seddon, and we realised we've never been here before.... 'What a sleepy little hollow', I thought to myself. It was quiet and peaceful, and there were probably about three to four cafes. We did find a house within our price range, and we moved into a tiny little two bedroom cottage. Until last month, we called that our home. We now live in Footscray, and I cannot wait to discover Footscray when Covid19 ends." ***** Eden Cox, resident of Footscray, editor, writer, amateur archaeologist, Mum of two. Being on lockdown doesn't mean my Human profiles stop. I had a wonderful chat with Eden earlier this evening. We made an effort to park the kids away for an hour, while our partners dealt with them! Look out for Eden's full story, really soon! Have you met, or engaged with, Eden in the last few years? Tell us about your experience!! Don't miss out on another Human story. Sign up for the Humans of SKY and the Inner West newsletter!! Check out the website www.humansofsky.com.au See more

12.01.2022 Liz Stratford, resident of Yarraville, mum of 3 girls, pilates lover, accredited Family Dispute Resolution Mediator and business owner of Liz Stratford Consulting Family Dispute Resolution and Mediation ***** What I do is work with parents following separation, helping them to work out the best arrangements for their kids. Separation does not have to be nasty or what you might see on TV, and I try and demystify the separation process.... I’m sharing the journey with them. ***** There is a lot of research on how kids are impacted by ongoing parental conflict. It can negatively affect their mental health and academic performance. Key milestones can be interrupted. Working with families that have experienced family violence is an important part of my work, I’m passionate about being a valuable resource to families in need. ***** Grief and loss following separation can be really tough for families, including grandparents. I often remind clients that things can and often do get better with some supports in place. ***** Caught up with Liz at VAULT Yarraville his morning. Both our line of work got intertwined with each other, and before long we thought why not catch up for coffee/tea and a Human profile! Look out for Liz's full story really soon. Humans of SKY and the Inner West is also on Instagram. Don't miss out on another Human story. Sign up for the Humans of SKY and the Inner West newsletter, via the website www.humansofsky.com.au.

12.01.2022 Family law - What is it, and why you may require it. Lucy Padula is an Inner Westie, and is the Principal and accredited family law specialist at Anderson Family Lawyers. Together with her team, they advise clients in all matters of family law, including financial matters, children's matters and family violence intervention orders.... We've worked together for about 1.5 years, through my finance broking business Money Jar Concept. We got together several weeks ago via Zoom to shed some light on what a family lawyer does, and why family law may be required for your personal circumstances. Time Stamp: 0:01 - Start and introducing Money Jar Concept and Anderson Family Lawyers 0:18 - Introducing Lucy Padula - what is Family Law? 2:26 - Where is Anderson Family Lawyers? In covid19, how can you be contacted? Why engage a family lawyer? 4:00 - Seasonal trends of family separation 5:40 - Changes in how courts operate during covid19 6:44 - Changes in super balances, property value 8:40 - How covid19 is changing the way couples feel about each other 10:14 - Conflict of Interest 12:32 - The Anderson Family Lawyers team 14:10 - Summary + Comments? If you have a spare 0.3 seconds, and this post resonated with you, hit the LIKE button. Or, drop a comment if you agree, or tag a friend if you think this could help. See more

12.01.2022 Beulah Joseph, resident of Yarraville, singer, wellbeing advocate ***** "I had my first suicidal attempt when I was 10, after Dad died. I was emotionally unhealthy and highly anxious. By the time I was 17, I collapsed at an exam and couldn't take it anymore. The principal, who's friend with mum, sent me to a psychiatrist, and I was diagosed with PTSD.... I realised quickly that the stifling environment in Singapore was not for me. It's ultra-conservative, dogmatic, and wasn't a healthy place for me." ***** "With the insruance money from my parents' death, I came to Australia to complete my secondary schooling. I knew noone here, but knew some friends had completed secondary school in Australia. I arrived in Melbourne with a cousin, and boarded for a year in Mount Eliza. I had to apply for a student visa annually, as I was still an international student." ***** Caught up with Beulah at Cornershop this morning. It was also both our first cafe sit down experience since Stage 4 lockdown were introduced in July. Felt so good Look out for Beulah's full story really soon. Humans of SKY and the Inner West is also on Instagram. Don't miss out on another Human story. Sign up for the Humans of SKY and the Inner West newsletter, via the website www.humansofsky.com.au. See more

12.01.2022 Megan Jessop, resident of Albion, mother of two, just discovered powerlifting, business owner of Dance Habit ***** "The hardest thing this year was being at home with two young kids, fulltime. I was keeping the business running, while supporting the staff, who also had their own struggles. There were times when I drove to some of their homes, and talked to them outside their houses, while they cried. It was really hard.... I felt like I was holding everybody up, and while I didn't acknowledge it then, but I was struggling too. The anxiety, and trying to keep the financials in the green.... We weren't even allowed to enter the building that I was paying the rent for. It was an empty building. All the plants died. None of the utilities stopped; the bills kept coming." ***** Megan and I have been following each other on social media since 2019, and finally caught up today. Over at Sadie Black Cafe, she shared her story with me. Keep a look out for it! ***** Humans of SKY and the Inner West is also on Instagram See more

10.01.2022 "We just reopened again on Tuesday, after a few months of lockdown. It's been tough. My brother and I had quit our jobs to pursue our dreams to run our own business. We had another staff today who was supposed to turn up but he wasn't feeling well so we told him to stay home!... Thank you for your support, especially all the parents from Kingsville Primary School. We are booked out all of Sunday today!!!" - Zanny (2nd from right) Zanny and his brother, Zaroon (3rd from right) and their mate Donni are holding fort today at @kingsvillebarberlounge My 10yo desperately needed a haircut for the school photo tomorrow, and the boys duly delivered. Thanks boys. Don't miss out on another Human story. Sign up for the Humans of SKY and the Inner West newsletter, also via the website. See more

10.01.2022 So new updates on our travel limits filtered through social media today. Where can 25km take you from where you are in the inner west? I've used four main points that I consider the perimeter of the inner west - Altona, Footscray, Sunshine and Williamstown....Continue reading

10.01.2022 Beulah Joseph, resident of Yarraville, singer, mother, writer, educator, wellbeing advocate ***** I was born in Singapore and was brought up as a convent girl. My mother, Mrs Margaret Joseph, was the Principal of St Theresa’s Convent and was very well known in Singapore. ...Continue reading

09.01.2022 Hey Humans! Keeping with the food theme. Personally I dislike dim sims from any F&C shops.... I always ask if I can swap it out for an extra potato cake. Let's see how long before someone mentions South Melbourne dim sims! Tell us yours!! See more

08.01.2022 Hi Inner Westies, hope you're all holding up. One of the largest segments of businesses - sole traders with no employees - have largely been frozen out of any state-level assistance.... Almost all of them meet all other criteria - including the timely payment of tax - but have received no recognition of the overheads or responsibilities they may have. As a small business owner myself, this subject matter is very close to my heart. Did you know that a small business owner with ONE employee other than themselves, but with NO commercial lease, is eligible for up to $20,000 grants? On top of receiving Jobkeeper? However, a sole trader WITH a commercial lease but NO employees, can only access Jobkeeper? Thousands of Sole Traders, Melbourne-wide, are being driven to the wall. I got together with three Inner Westies and small business owners this morning over Zoom: Liana Lucca-Pope, business owner of the Idea Collective (Nicholson St, Footscray and Paisley St, Footscray) Clare Martin Lapworth, business owner of CML Studio. and Clare Martin Lapworth - Photographer Mark Sketchley, business owner of Altitude Performance Centre They, along with two others, have gotten together to form an advocacy group Sole Traders Needing Equivalent Covid19 Support. Links: - Sole Traders needing COVID Support VIC AU - Sole Traders need equivalent Covid-19 support Australia (private group) In just under 15 minutes, Liana, Clare and Mark shared with me: - how this group came about - what they've done to get the attention of local Members of Parliament - why it's important to make State and Federal government aware that Sole Traders cannot be left on the wayside ***** If you are a local small business owner, I’d encourage all of you reading or watching this, to join the page. You can also support the page by sharing this post, or individual posts within the page. Liana, Clare and Mark have a voice collectively and have already gotten the attention of MPs Katie Hall MP and Tim Watts MP, and Barbara Cullen Director Small Business Victoria. This is not just a State-level issue; this will become a Federal issue as if Sole Traders do not get the necessary support, they may become reliant on government payments. ***** Don't miss out on another Human story. Sign up for the Humans of SKY and the Inner West newsletter!! Visit www.humansofsky.com.au

08.01.2022 Wendy Stiles, resident of Yarraville, closet outdoor adventure enthusiast, business owner of Wendy Stiles Photography and Studio Stiles I was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota. My mum’s originally from Hong Kong, and my dad’s from North Dakota. They met when my dad was travelling. Two years later she came over and they got married. I am the youngest of four. My half-siblings are much older than me as they are from my mum’s first marriage. The paperwork took a while but they... came to the states from HK when I was about 5 years old. They were all 18 and over by then but Mum worried about China eventually taking back HK and wanted her children safe away from that very glad she did. My sisters stayed in Grand Forks for a couple of years before moving to California but my brother stayed until I was a teenager before eventually moving there too." ***** Check out the rest of Wendy's story, via the Humans of SKY website link below ***** Covid19 tends to connect people in the strangest ways. Wendy and I began chatting just after the first lock down, and she said she's seen me locally before, but didn't say hi. I went "Wait, we can't have that! I don't like strangers!" My recent stories of racism - in light of #blacklivesmatter - also sparked Wendy's desire to share a brief post of her experience with racism. We finally caught up five weeks ago, just after Lockdown Ver 1.0 restrictions were eased. Have you worked alongside Wendy, or had her as your commercial/family photographer? Tell us about your experience! Say hi to Wendy if you see her in our community!! Don't miss out on another Human story. Sign up for the Humans of SKY and the Inner West newsletter!! Visit www.humansofsky.com.au

06.01.2022 Sean McGrath, resident of Kingsville, performer, chaperone, designer, volunteer, donor ***** "Over the last eight years as an IVF donor, I have helped seven women conceive and give birth to seven children.... My partner and I have a 12yo daughter in Sydney who we see when travel permits. She has always embraced the diversity of her family and we love her dearly. My other children are donor-conceived. I became interested in becoming an IVF donor in 2012 after hearing of the challenges some women face trying to conceive. I looked into it and began the process the folloe year. I must admit I had a tear when the first child was born. There's a little person out there that I've played a part in. I have been lucky to meet some of these children though most are to unknown receipients. I hope they're all dancing up and down the supermarket aisles as I am." ***** "I'm a trained musical theatre performer, and have been involved in shows like Cats, Chicago and Priscilla Queen of the Desert. When lockdown began, many of my neighbours were mentioning how life was going to change. A few people were upset their physical classes like gyms were no longer operating and I said offhand that my theatre background may come in handy, and I might do something. That's how Dancing in the Street was born. Fast forward to December, and we've recently completed 50 classes." ***** For the best part of lockdown, residents of Kingsville have had the best little fitness secret to themselves. Sean has been conducting fun dance/fitness classes right outside his house, and neighbours and residents all around Kingsville have joined in. I had accidentally drove into one of his classes last week, and thought what an amazing idea this was. A quick social media post later,, and I was connected with Sean. This morning over coffee at @alfabakehouse Seddon, Sean told me his story. Look out for it! ***** Humans of SKY and the Inner West is also on Instagram.

05.01.2022 Woke up this morning, did the dishes and took the rubbish out, and found a snail walking across my front door. Travelling from Point A to Point B, slowly but very efficiently. The snail represents all Melburnians' slow journey into personal freedom this morning.... Personally, it also represents the slow release of the vice-like grip many small business owners have had in the last seven months. While many have benefited from the (insufficient) grants or payments afforded by the government, many more have not received a cent since Day One of lockdown. To those small businesss operators who survived to see through to this morning, #hatsoff to you. As a small business owner myself, I have spoken to, dealt with, and know your pain. (Yes, I've not received a cent as well.) The slow crawl is fraught with danger, as there is every chance it could have been crushed accidentally, or washed away in a sudden storm. But we got there. Now, let's rejoice, but ensure common sense still dictates our everyday lives. Until the vaccine is found, masks + social distancing is mandatory. PS: To those industries who are opening soon in November, I salute you too. Don't miss out on another Human story. Sign up for the Humans of SKY and the Inner West newsletter, also via the website. See more

05.01.2022 Evening Inner Westies. How many of you are affected by the number of trucks in the Inner West? "Yes, we've seen it on Maribyrnong Truck Action Group," you may say.... "Yeah those bloody idiots closed up the Westgate exits," I heard someone say. How many of you live along Williamstown Road, and are seeing - I'm sorry, I meant HEARING - this ridiculous scene play out? Where are the cops? Why isn't 50kmh policed? I don't see a minimum distance kept; all it takes is one truck to brake suddenly, the trucks behind would not have time to brake safely. We're getting numb to the amount of shocking truck videos we see play out along the main thoroughfares. One day. Just one day. All it takes is ONE mishap, and a local kid/family gets killed. Where would our fingers be pointing towards then?

04.01.2022 Happy Father's Day to all Fathers out there. As a first-generation migrant to Australia, I've only seen my father for about seven times in the last 16 years. Each time, it's only fleeting, and for no more than a few weeks.... I consider it a luxury, to see my father once every few years, as I left Singapore to forge my own life in Australia. It's a sacrifice I have made for a better life for myself. ***** Whatever the outcome is today, whether we remain in Stage 4, or are upgraded to 3.5, remember this: - You are only required to follow rules for a very short period of time - If you are children to first-generation migrants, you would have grown up in Australia, the Lucky Country. You are very lucky. There's a reason why many migrants move to Australia. My wife and I included. - Dan Andrews is - regardless of your political leanings - damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. He cannot make everyone happy. ***** Picture courtesy of Kristyna Hessova of KristynaHess Photography and Lockdown Portraits. ***** Love, John, Michele, Levi, Ayla and Jona #humansofsky

04.01.2022 Brett and his team from Kindred Cafe Yarraville getting some specialised coffee training from Undercover Roasters. Life goes on, mask or not. We still need our coffee, and Brett - like many of our inner westie Cafe owners - still need to churn out those cuppas. ... Are you a local cafe owner? How are you keeping your staff motivated and upskilled? Do share! Don't miss out on another Human story. Sign up for the Humans of SKY and the Inner West newsletter!! Visit my website www.humansofsky.com.au. See more

04.01.2022 Julia Chau, resident of Seddon, mum of one, business owner of The Better Studio. I was born in Central, Hong Kong. I lived in one of those old-style Hong Kong houses: dark, tall and narrow with a tiny kitchen and no working toilets. My parents split up when I was about 2 and both remarried when I was about 5, they had two kids each and between the five of us, the largest age gap is sixteen. I feel almost like an aunty to my youngest brother. After my parents split up I only ...Continue reading

02.01.2022 Amidst all the madness we Humans live in now, our flora and fauna is thriving. I speak for the Inner West, but I'm sure it's the same all around the world. We are contributing less waste into our environment, and everywhere we look, the air is cleaner.... Yes, the usage of plastic has gone up, due to the of delivery and takeaway, but that is another story. I was really excited to spot two **insert duck species here** swimming, feeding and pruning themselves in Stony Creek today. How is everyone coping so far in Lockdown Ver 2.0? What other remarkable wildlife are you seeing your part of the world? Don't miss out on another Human story. Sign up for the Humans of SKY and the Inner West newsletter!! Check out the website www.humansofsky.com.au See more

01.01.2022 I'm sorry...what? According to Timeout, an Inner West suburb of Melbourne is in the Top 40 Coolest Suburb list? Yarraville is the fifth coolest suburb in the world?... Hell yeah! We (all Inner Westies rejoice!) are the fifth coolest Humans in the world? We only have the awesome Lee Smith-Moir with her feel-good messages at Cruickshank Park? We just so happened to have the amazing Belle Hadiwidjaja @speedy.wasabi roller-skating through the streets of Yarraville in rotating costumes to help families escape to a whole new world? We conveniently have Norni Bero, owner of Mabu Mabu, who champions native ingredients and serves up nutritious takes on nostalgic dishes? We need to pre-book months in advance, in the vain hope of securing a dining spot at the 'tiny, contemporary Australian fine diner' Restaurant Navi and sample some fine Australian fare? I'm sorry, Yarraville (and everyone in the Inner West!) is just too cool. #micdrop (Images from Facebook, ABC, Wayne Taylor and Darryl Torpy.) See more