Who are we?

The Indigenous Hospitality House (IHH) is a grassroots community house in Naarm (Melbourne), on Wurundjeri Woiwurring country, that offers hospitality and accommodation for First Nations patients and their families who are in town for hospital business. We take referrals from hospitals and health co-ops for short-term stays throughout the school year, closing on school holidays for rest. We also make space for people of all backgrounds to discuss our actions and responsibilities while living on unceded Aboriginal land.

View our website here, and our instagram here.

Our aims include:

• To create a welcoming, restorative and culturally safe space for guests
• To be based on a model of solidarity, not welfare
• To be accountable to the indigenous community
• To create a space for connection and sharing
• To offer hospitality with awareness of power dynamics in this country

Who is involved?

We are a mixed household of First Nations and settler folks, older and younger residents (average age 30), with various occupations outside the house. Most of us are engaged in related work outside the house, such as political organising and elder care. We recognise and find ways to address the structural causes of health disadvantage amongst First Nations people, taking our lead from sovereign peoples' continual resistance and local community building.

You're likely to make a good IHH resident if you:

• Are a compassionate and good listener - deeply respect various cultures, especially First Nations cultures and Indigenous ways of being
• Live well with others, including people different to you
• Are a reliable and great communicator
• Can assert boundaries, process difficult emotions and practice self-care

WhAT does living at the IHH involve?

Volunteer residents pay rent and bills approx $550 a month while they live in the house, and commit to being present during the school term, particularly for weekly rostered shifts. During the school holidays the house closes and resident volunteers take time to rest and review.

Day Shift

9 hrs one/week

We Have one person around the house on weekdays between 9am and 6pm to welcome guests, take referrals, change the beds and be a presence in the house.

Evening shifts

3 hrs 1-2/week

We have two poeple on duty on weekdays between 6-9pm. This involves preparing a meal for guests and residents, cleaning up afterwards and being present for the evening.

Meetings twice monthly

House meetings are a chance to catch up, discuss and learn from the past month we've shared at the house together.

Other household tasks

We share the work of organising learning events, organising campaigns, building relationships with elders, fundraising, administration and house/garden maintenance.

Click "Apply now" to submit your application.