EOFY Appeal
The past year has been incredibly difficult for so many of us. We are all familiar with stories of loss, isolation and anxiety. But amongst these, there have also been stories of hope.
We at the Indigenous Hospitality House (IHH) want to share with you a powerful story of how we have continued to provide ongoing care, support and comfort to one of our guests, Aunty Cody.
Today, we are giving you the opportunity to help us create these welcoming and healing conditions for First Nations people in similar situations.
A number of years ago Aunty Cody, a Yamatji woman, came to Melbourne for her grandchild’s hospital appointment. During their stay, Aunty and her grandkids were placed in unsafe and unpleasant accomodation.
““It was horrible. It was really violent, so we slept on the street.””
This is an experience that many First Nations folk who have come to Melbourne can resonate with. Affordable, family friendly and culturally safe accomodation is rare in the big smoke.
But when Aunty Cody next came to Melbourne, she connected with the IHH. This time, she had an entirely different experience.
“Safety. It was very safe. I felt really comfortable. It’s big, especially when you’re vulnerable, when you’re weak and sick or worried on your kids, it’s a big thing. I never felt like a client, I always felt like I was part of the house. And I never got that, even in a share house. And to know that you can go off to get your hospital stuff done and come back and heal, it’s a good thing.”
For First Nations guests like Aunty Cody, the security and comfort the IHH offers is invaluable. Whether attending hospital appointments themselves, or visiting loved ones in hospital, these are vulnerable moments in people’s lives. We provide a friendly smile, a hot cup of tea and a peaceful place to rest. In return, we meet kind hearted people, who teach us so much and show generosity to us in bounds.
The wisdom and knowledge shared with us by guests is a key part of the IHH. We provide a connection between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, which are so often isolated from one another. Part of our purpose has always been creating much needed learning spaces, where the broader IHH community can come together to learn the difficult truths and the possible solutions to the racial injustice of this nation.
Aunty Cody has been a vital part of this learning for our community. She is unendingly generous with her knowledge and time, and accompanies us as we learn how to better walk beside our First Nations brothers and sisters. This is perhaps best shown through the magnificent murals she has created for the IHH this year. Made possible by a generous bequest left to the house, they are filled with stories of the land and its people’s resilience and strength.
The murals created by Aunty Cody and members of her mob will be displayed for the community to visit and enjoy, as part of our 20th anniversary celebrations. On June 25th, we will mark 20 years of hospitality to and learning with First Nations people. In this time, over 3000 hospital guests have stayed with us!
We could not have done this without the partnership of supporters like you.
Will you give today to help us continue the vital work of the IHH in an increasingly challenging time?
All donations are incredibly helpful, but if you set up a regular donation, we are able to better plan for the future and use your gifts as effectively as possible.
The Indigenous Hospitality House only exists today thanks to the generosity of you, our supporters. For that we thank you.
