Down in Drummond Street, North Carlton, [an inner Melbourne suburb] we find the Indigenous Hospitality House [IHH]. Current residents share the house in Carlton North, where they host Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander folks who need to come to Melbourne for hospital business. They also try and help non-Indigenous people consider what it means to live on Stolen Land. Since the project started in 2001 IHH has hosted over 2000 hospital guests.
I was pleased to play a ‘small’ role in the initial establishment in 2001 of the IHH together with other supporters from around Melbourne, including members of the Sunbury Uniting Church, and in particular, friend Ruth who joined me in that final clean-up of the house before it officially opened that year. I still retain photos of us scrubbing down walls, floors, etc, generating the kind of energy [and speaking for myself only] I can’t bring to the surface these days
Still operating, the following correspondence was received in recent days, and I share it for the benefit of those interested!!
‘We at the Indigenous Hospitality House (IHH) were uncertain about the future of our project during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, after a period of discernment and preparation, we have now re-opened the doors and can return to our work of providing stable accommodation to First Nations folks visiting hospitals. Having navigated these trying years, we feel even better equipped to support guests dealing with uncertain futures of their own.
We’d love to share a story with you, that gives a sense of what this support can mean for our guests. We’re sharing it as a reminder of who we are and a celebration of our return; but we’re also hoping you’ll be a part of it.
If you are able, we’d love your contribution to keep this project alive. We’ve weathered so much, and now it’s a matter of keeping the lights on.
Tracey is a single mother from the Snowy River region who was thrown in the deep end when her son Jaicobye required medical care in the city just four days before Christmas last year. For Tracey, the prospect was daunting. Not least of all because she needed to find safe, affordable accommodation for herself and her son – something that had proved difficult on past visits. Thanks to the IHH, this time was different. An Indigenous social worker at the hospital organised for Tracey and Jaicobye to stay with us, and from the moment she arrived, she felt supported and safe.
The IHH has been connected to hospitals and medical services around so-called Australia for 22 years, and is the only service of its kind. The security, comfort and culturally safe space the IHH offers is invaluable. We provide friendly smiles, a hot cup of tea, home cooked meals and a peaceful place to rest during vulnerable moments in our guests’ lives. Tracey and Jaicobye have now stayed with us three times; each has brought an enriching experience that has positively changed their relationship to coming to Narrm/ Melbourne. On her third visit, Tracey was invited to be part of a smoking ceremony led by new volunteer resident Jack – an artist from whadjuk noongar boodja who joined the house in January.
We had other guests staying at the IHH at the time, two aunties from Arnhem Land who loved to endlessly plough through cups of tea and tell long stories.
At the IHH, we provide opportunities for connection, learning, and healing. For Tracey and Jaicobye, they now feel they have “city home and family to go to, and this feels like a new beginning for us too.”
At this time of new beginning for the IHH, Tracey and Jaicobye have generously allowed us to share their story because they want this project to continue.
The challenging realities of re-emergence from the lockdown years have impacted so many, and the IHH is no exception. In order for us to continue hosting folks like Tracey, we need to cover the costs of rent on the guest rooms, food, bills and maintenance. In the past, we’ve also been able to use donations to fund some paid hours of administrative work each work.
The Indigenous Hospitality House only exists today thanks to the amazing generosity and support of our supporters. For that we say thank you.
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