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| Photo by Birgit Loit on Unsplash |
In Australia, we show a pretty strong affinity for the idea of home. We sing about wanting 'a home among the gum trees' or still calling 'Australia home', and we watch 'The Castle' and recite Dorothea Mackellar's 'My Country', claiming a bond, a share in the places we grew up, the land that formed us. But 'home' is not a thing that everyone gets to share in fully - and even those of use lucky enough to feel secure in our housed state cannot avoid the fact that our very environment is fragile, on the precipice of climate disaster. Join us at Pearl Cove Library's first Human Library event to hear the stories of people whose experiences may provide a new perspective and people who are doing the work to bring justice and positive change to Australia's relationship with the idea of home.
What are Human Libraries?
The human library concept was created to give people a way of connecting with people whose experiences might vary wildly from their own - each human book at a human library has genuine first-hand knowledge of the topics they discuss and are gracious enough to share with the public in conversations facilitated by a human library event. Visit https://humanlibrary.org/ for more information.
Where?
Pearl Cove Library main branch: corner of Seaview Street and Fig Avenue, Pearl Cove NSW
When?
World Habitat Day: 4.30pm, Monday 4th of October, 2021
Who?
All are welcome - it's not recommended to bring children under the age of ten, as there are no child-specific activities organised - however, if your eight-year-old is interested in conversations about homelessness, the environment and asylum seekers, bring them along!
Booking
Pearl Cove Library's Eventbrite page: www.pcl.eventbrite.fakelink.com
No fee, but be sure to book your ticket - limited numbers only!
Who are our Human Books?
Celeste Matheson
Formerly living unhoused herself and now an advocate, Celeste's story will be familiar to all too many women who have experienced abuse and been forced to flee from one hardship to another. Celeste's work has earned her an order of Australia and she has dedicated the last four years to organising and campaigning for justice for people who are deprived of shelter.
Bob Crowe
Bob's revolutionary work in bringing back traditional indigenous land management practices to the homeland of his ancestors has been a long, hard road, but after much struggle and heartache, he is overjoyed to see results. Bob consults with organisations all around Australia in an effort to heal the land and encourage leadership from the traditional owners, for decisions that will impact the future of all Australians.
Musa Abdullah
After being forced to flee Afghanistan with his father and brother, Musa's experiences as a teenage asylum seeker are a heartbreaking human story of displacement, loneliness, bitter disappointment and, ultimately, hope. Musa is a Pearl Cove resident whose story ought to be known by everyone, as his search for home ultimately led him here.
Minna Williamson
Minna's work as an indigenous climate scientist has taken her all over the world, but she says she will always wish to return to her home Australia - a land that is already feeling the effects of climate change in brutal summers and violent floods. Minna's invaluable research is admired internationally.
Further information on issues discussed:
Indigenous land management: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191105075838.htm
Homelessness: https://homelessnessaustralia.org.au/
Asylum seeking: https://www.unhcr.org/asylum-in-australia.html
Climate change: https://www.science.org.au/education/immunisation-climate-change-genetic-modification/science-climate-change
Photo by Joey Smith on Unsplash
Keira Shelley
