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Humans of Merri-bek

A Council Facebook feature showcasing Merri-bek's people and the stories which make them unique. Like Merri-bek Council on Facebook to view Humans of Merri-bek.

  • I like to kick back and talk to my primary school friends. The main people I hang around with are all from primary school. We just connect.

    I like to kick back and talk to my primary school friends. The main people I hang around with are all from primary school. We just connect.

  • How old do you think I am? I’m 90. I used to be a pastry cook. Beautiful apple pies. Working in kitchens is not bad, unless you’re cooking steak and eggs in summer – then it’s hot. After my wife passed over, I come to the park every day. It passes the time. You find some good people.

    How old do you think I am? I’m 90. I used to be a pastry cook. Beautiful apple pies. Working in kitchens is not bad, unless you’re cooking steak and eggs in summer – then it’s hot. After my wife passed over, I come to the park every day. It passes the time. You find some good people.

  • When I was a little girl growing up in Nagambie I wanted to be either a hairdresser of a teacher. I would get by best friend and her sister to be my pretend students, or hairdressing clients. My childhood involved a lot of riding bikes, playing in paddocks, riding horses, swimming in the lake with friends. My kids have a very different childhood, growing up in Pascoe Vale South, but they have the advantage of opportunities I didn’t have. They’re happy here.

    When I was a little girl growing up in Nagambie I wanted to be either a hairdresser of a teacher. I would get by best friend and her sister to be my pretend students, or hairdressing clients. My childhood involved a lot of riding bikes, playing in paddocks, riding horses, swimming in the lake with friends. My kids have a very different childhood, growing up in Pascoe Vale South, but they have the advantage of opportunities I didn’t have. They’re happy here.

  • I came from Punjab eight months ago. I’ve just been to the MCG for the first time. It is such a big ground. Too big. My cricket hero is Sachin Tendulkar, the God of Cricket, but since he’s retired my favourite is Virat Kohli.

    I came from Punjab eight months ago. I’ve just been to the MCG for the first time. It is such a big ground. Too big. My cricket hero is Sachin Tendulkar, the God of Cricket, but since he’s retired my favourite is Virat Kohli.

  • We both grew up in Glenroy, went to school here but we didn’t know each other. I met him when I gave him his first job. I was the manager and I hired him. We got together about two months later; that was two years ago. We agree about a lot of things, just not music. I like hard rock and Benito is into techno dance stuff, so I pick on his music all the time.

    We both grew up in Glenroy, went to school here but we didn’t know each other. I met him when I gave him his first job. I was the manager and I hired him. We got together about two months later; that was two years ago. We agree about a lot of things, just not music. I like hard rock and Benito is into techno dance stuff, so I pick on his music all the time.

  • We met at a wedding in Canberra 17 years ago. (What did you talk about at the wedding?) No idea – it was 17 years ago! A lot of things have changed since having Holly. She loves to go to the dog park and watch the dogs. We walk down Sydney Road, discover all the playgrounds, visit the zoo. But the dog park is probably her favourite.

    We met at a wedding in Canberra 17 years ago. (What did you talk about at the wedding?) No idea – it was 17 years ago! A lot of things have changed since having Holly. She loves to go to the dog park and watch the dogs. We walk down Sydney Road, discover all the playgrounds, visit the zoo. But the dog park is probably her favourite.

  • He’s only 5 months, so we’ve just started coming to the park and the library. I miss being able to go to the movies the most. But I took him to the library the other day and he was interested in the books and was smiling and touching things. It’s great to see him actually exited and interacting now.

    He’s only 5 months, so we’ve just started coming to the park and the library. I miss being able to go to the movies the most. But I took him to the library the other day and he was interested in the books and was smiling and touching things. It’s great to see him actually exited and interacting now.

  • We knew about each other for a while before we met, because we have a mutual friend. I am from Eritrea and Haidy is from Egypt. When I broke my leg she visited me in hospital every day for three months. That’s how we became friends.

    We knew about each other for a while before we met, because we have a mutual friend. I am from Eritrea and Haidy is from Egypt. When I broke my leg she visited me in hospital every day for three months. That’s how we became friends.

  • I’m always happy. Nothing can get me down. I’m not like other men - I’ve been like this all my life. You’ve got to make other people happy. That’s what we all should be doing.

    I’m always happy. Nothing can get me down. I’m not like other men - I’ve been like this all my life. You’ve got to make other people happy. That’s what we all should be doing.

  • I get a lot of comments about the beard. The most common question is whether or not I’m Santa. I haven’t shaved in 36 years, but I brush the beard every day.

    I get a lot of comments about the beard. The most common question is whether or not I’m Santa. I haven’t shaved in 36 years, but I brush the beard every day.

  • I grew up in the country in China. My father was a businessman and my mother was a farmer. We had one cow. I learned English in school, and worked in IT for ten years. I came to Australia to learn more but it is hard to find work. I worked in a cotton factory for a while, and I am studying more about IT but not in a course, just by myself. I cook food for myself. I’m not very good, but it’s okay.

    I grew up in the country in China. My father was a businessman and my mother was a farmer. We had one cow. I learned English in school, and worked in IT for ten years. I came to Australia to learn more but it is hard to find work. I worked in a cotton factory for a while, and I am studying more about IT but not in a course, just by myself. I cook food for myself. I’m not very good, but it’s okay.

  • A long time ago I was a narrative artist, and worked a lot on Greek myths, but there’s been a natural evolution in my practice. Now I’m a reductive painter. I’m a stay at home Dad, so a lot of my painting happens when the kids are at school or asleep. Will I be a reductive painter forever? No doubt there will be further evolution. It just happens. If you don’t stop learning, your style will keep changing.

    A long time ago I was a narrative artist, and worked a lot on Greek myths, but there’s been a natural evolution in my practice. Now I’m a reductive painter. I’m a stay at home Dad, so a lot of my painting happens when the kids are at school or asleep. Will I be a reductive painter forever? No doubt there will be further evolution. It just happens. If you don’t stop learning, your style will keep changing.

  • My husband is the person who inspires me most. When our son was little, I really felt like I was going crazy. My husband said, ‘I know you’re not going out enough. Do something for yourself. Have a life apart from our son. You don’t have to earn money, just find something else to do.’ Now I teach accounting part time. That’s fun for me! I also unwind by watching documentaries – animals, science, planets, cars – they’re all interesting.

    My husband is the person who inspires me most. When our son was little, I really felt like I was going crazy. My husband said, ‘I know you’re not going out enough. Do something for yourself. Have a life apart from our son. You don’t have to earn money, just find something else to do.’ Now I teach accounting part time. That’s fun for me! I also unwind by watching documentaries – animals, science, planets, cars – they’re all interesting.

  • I’m writing a thesis on body esteem and connection to nature. If we can feel more connected to the natural world, what will that mean for the way we feel about ourselves?

    I’m writing a thesis on body esteem and connection to nature. If we can feel more connected to the natural world, what will that mean for the way we feel about ourselves?

  • I’d go insane without the gym. I need an escape. Some people turn to alcohol. Some turn to weed. I turn to the gym. I can squat about 120 kg, bench 110 kg and deadlift 140kg.

    I’d go insane without the gym. I need an escape. Some people turn to alcohol. Some turn to weed. I turn to the gym. I can squat about 120 kg, bench 110 kg and deadlift 140kg.

  • I’ve always done hard work. I worked for the railways. I put in stormwater pipes. I worked at a quarry for Coburg City Council. They’d blow up the rocks, then I’d feed them into the crusher. I’ve had 12 or 13 operations now. Arthritis in my hands. It’s okay. You have to...I like joking. You have to be laughing.

    I’ve always done hard work. I worked for the railways. I put in stormwater pipes. I worked at a quarry for Coburg City Council. They’d blow up the rocks, then I’d feed them into the crusher. I’ve had 12 or 13 operations now. Arthritis in my hands. It’s okay. You have to...I like joking. You have to be laughing.

  • My daughter is 8. I bring her swimming for the exercises and so that she can gain confidence in the water. While I wait for her sometimes I go on Pintrest and look up health and fitness things. I lift lightweights 6 times a week for 30-40 minutes.

    My daughter is 8. I bring her swimming for the exercises and so that she can gain confidence in the water. While I wait for her sometimes I go on Pintrest and look up health and fitness things. I lift lightweights 6 times a week for 30-40 minutes.

  • I like to kick back and talk to my primary school friends. The main people I hang around with are all from primary school. We just connect.
  • How old do you think I am? I’m 90. I used to be a pastry cook. Beautiful apple pies. Working in kitchens is not bad, unless you’re cooking steak and eggs in summer – then it’s hot. After my wife passed over, I come to the park every day. It passes the time. You find some good people.
  • When I was a little girl growing up in Nagambie I wanted to be either a hairdresser of a teacher. I would get by best friend and her sister to be my pretend students, or hairdressing clients. My childhood involved a lot of riding bikes, playing in paddocks, riding horses, swimming in the lake with friends. My kids have a very different childhood, growing up in Pascoe Vale South, but they have the advantage of opportunities I didn’t have. They’re happy here.
  • I came from Punjab eight months ago. I’ve just been to the MCG for the first time. It is such a big ground. Too big. My cricket hero is Sachin Tendulkar, the God of Cricket, but since he’s retired my favourite is Virat Kohli.
  • We both grew up in Glenroy, went to school here but we didn’t know each other. I met him when I gave him his first job. I was the manager and I hired him. We got together about two months later; that was two years ago. We agree about a lot of things, just not music. I like hard rock and Benito is into techno dance stuff, so I pick on his music all the time.
  • We met at a wedding in Canberra 17 years ago. (What did you talk about at the wedding?) No idea – it was 17 years ago! A lot of things have changed since having Holly. She loves to go to the dog park and watch the dogs. We walk down Sydney Road, discover all the playgrounds, visit the zoo. But the dog park is probably her favourite.
  • He’s only 5 months, so we’ve just started coming to the park and the library. I miss being able to go to the movies the most. But I took him to the library the other day and he was interested in the books and was smiling and touching things. It’s great to see him actually exited and interacting now.
  • We knew about each other for a while before we met, because we have a mutual friend. I am from Eritrea and Haidy is from Egypt. When I broke my leg she visited me in hospital every day for three months. That’s how we became friends.
  • I’m always happy. Nothing can get me down. I’m not like other men - I’ve been like this all my life. You’ve got to make other people happy. That’s what we all should be doing.
  • I get a lot of comments about the beard. The most common question is whether or not I’m Santa. I haven’t shaved in 36 years, but I brush the beard every day.
  • I grew up in the country in China. My father was a businessman and my mother was a farmer. We had one cow. I learned English in school, and worked in IT for ten years. I came to Australia to learn more but it is hard to find work. I worked in a cotton factory for a while, and I am studying more about IT but not in a course, just by myself. I cook food for myself. I’m not very good, but it’s okay.
  • A long time ago I was a narrative artist, and worked a lot on Greek myths, but there’s been a natural evolution in my practice. Now I’m a reductive painter. I’m a stay at home Dad, so a lot of my painting happens when the kids are at school or asleep. Will I be a reductive painter forever? No doubt there will be further evolution. It just happens. If you don’t stop learning, your style will keep changing.
  • My husband is the person who inspires me most. When our son was little, I really felt like I was going crazy. My husband said, ‘I know you’re not going out enough. Do something for yourself. Have a life apart from our son. You don’t have to earn money, just find something else to do.’ Now I teach accounting part time. That’s fun for me! I also unwind by watching documentaries – animals, science, planets, cars – they’re all interesting.
  • I’m writing a thesis on body esteem and connection to nature. If we can feel more connected to the natural world, what will that mean for the way we feel about ourselves?
  • I’d go insane without the gym. I need an escape. Some people turn to alcohol. Some turn to weed. I turn to the gym. I can squat about 120 kg, bench 110 kg and deadlift 140kg.
  • I’ve always done hard work. I worked for the railways. I put in stormwater pipes. I worked at a quarry for Coburg City Council. They’d blow up the rocks, then I’d feed them into the crusher. I’ve had 12 or 13 operations now. Arthritis in my hands. It’s okay. You have to...I like joking. You have to be laughing.
  • My daughter is 8. I bring her swimming for the exercises and so that she can gain confidence in the water. While I wait for her sometimes I go on Pintrest and look up health and fitness things. I lift lightweights 6 times a week for 30-40 minutes.
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Moreland City Council
90 Bell Street, Coburg, Vic. 3058 Australia
Locked Bag 10, Moreland, Vic. 3058

Phone (03) 9240 1111 | Email Info@moreland.vic.gov.au

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