Term 1 2008 Overview

Written by Matt Bell

Monday, 31 March 2008

Well, another year and another term of guests, hospitality, duty, residents, talks and meetings. Business as usual we might think. Except it isn’t. Not this year. Something has changed. The ground beneath our feet has shifted. A national apology has been made to the Stolen Generations, some of whom have come through our doors. Some huge steps towards healing have taken place on this new ground upon which we stand. We have had 27 guests from Orbost, Bairnsdale, Dareton, Swan Hill, Mildura, Warrnambool, Sydney, Deniliquin, Wentworth, Robinvale and Tongala. Something we noticed this term was how some guests find it hard to understand that the IHH is not a service run by whitefellas who will come down hard if they come in late or don’t pay. This has made us realize the depth and ongoing nature of the impact of colonisation and disempowerment. Another guest shared her envy of people up north who retain their language, her sorrow at what has been lost for her family who have had their Aboriginality questioned because they don’t ‘look black’, but also her pride in family members who have been activists in the struggle for rights. In resident news, Dave has moved on, and we welcome Asher back after a year overseas (this makes four residents who have moved out for a time, then moved back in). Renée joined us recently, and another couple, Shobie and Luffy, are coming on board from April. Welcome one and all! The IHH looks forward to another great year exploring what it means to be people of faith in this land, with our history and with a commitment to hospitality. We look forward to sharing this journey with you all.