Hi everyone, Matt here. After over 13 years at the IHH the time has come for me to move on. It's been an amazing, life changing experience, and I wouldn't exchange it for anything (well, maybe a Richmond premiership). But, rest easy, while my formal role has finished, i'll be around to continue the journey, but as a supporter and someone working in solidarity with the IHH. The IHH gave me a great send off today, presenting me with cheese and a song. The lyrics are posted below and are sung to the Richmond Tigers theme song tune. I'd like to thank you all for your engagement, support and solidarity, your support is invaluable the IHH and to myself.
Future contact will come from Chris or Fiona who are taking over the various roles that I fulfilled. They are top notch people people and I'm excited about how they will engage with all of your, our supporters. They will email from the IHH account, because they are more professional than me, and because I should have been doing that long ago, but I valued the sense of personal connection I have sought to build.
Just a final comment. Working in the area of Aboriginal justice can feel very isolating at times. It's not a cool, sexy domain. It's confronting and challenging in ways that other areas of social justice / change aren't. Many people avoid these issues in favour of many other (very important) areas of justice and social change. I have at time felt isolated and disconsolate about the work I do. However, your support and interest, especially as the numbers of people the IHH engaged over the years increased, has buoyed me in the journey. I have felt encouraged, supported and valued in the work I have done because of your support. So, I would like to thank you all for being part of my journey at the IHH.
If you don't know the Richmond these song here it is.
Oh he’s from IHH
He likes to have brunch with his girlfriend Rach
In any weather you can see him with our broom
Or gardening in the gloom
Or stacking up the dishes
til they nearly go kaboom
Cos he’s from IHH
He’ll never peel an avocado til it’s ripe!
He might be wearing a towel,
And his puns make us howl
But he’s from IHH, the hospitality house
Yes he’s from IHH!
He’s from the Hospitality House
And he comes down the stairs like a bulku (mouse)
And we all know that salad sandwiches he likes
And he shares around his bikes
And he’ll travel miles to speak and teach and learn
(Unless he pikes)
He’s from the Hospitality House
And there’s no shame in always coming second!
Remember, water’s for chumps
So don’t be down in the dumps
He’ll always be IHH, the Hospitality House
He’ll always be IHH!
