"Hope O'Chin"

My reason for wanting to express myself through the visual arts is an innate drive that stems from my cultural heritage combined with who I am as a contemporary Aboriginal woman.  This is something that cannot be quieted if fuelled by my inner spiritual self.  There may at times be persons, events and circumstances that impact upon what images evolve onto canvas at any given point in time.  But! I believe that this gift is an extension of my continual dreaming.  After all we are but a point on the continuum of life.

INTRODUCTION

It has been an interesting journey thus far.  In 2002 I started to write about my views including specific thoughts of the place I had ended up staying in at the time.  This was the Jane Arnold Hostel: New-Farm, established by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for our people in need.  I wondered about my inner strength, and what could possibly unfold within a conceivable future for me personally.  The need to work towards qualifications at the level of doctorate was also foremost in my mind.  The desired outcome was a realistic goal or so I thought, given what were my impressions of my achievements to-date.  That’s what I thought!  Then some!  I hope I have come a long way since that first impression in New-Farm.

 Back then, as I sat on my single bed in the hostel,  I wondered if I would ever get on my feet again.  Like one of the long-term residents, I realized that, I was born into a dormitory on a Government mission, Cherbourg in Queensland, and it appeared that I would remain there if circumstances did not change in the immediate future.  I remember that this was the first time that I had seriously thought about the significance of the title of this book; “Making Waves”.   My despondency was evident in the original title initially chosen for the book, being, “Making Waves or Slowly Sinking?”. 

 Why the despondency?  The past few years I had gone from a senior executive in Government to a recipient of social security benefits.  Events, sometimes outside of my control, had over the years dampened my spirit.  At times deeply wounded, I wondered whether or not my dignity was slipping away.  My health, not the best at times, had caused me to wonder what was the point in trying.

  However, on the other hand, looking around me I realized that those things that we had fought so hard to achieve were becoming a reality.  Equal opportunities, thought equity, manifested itself in the increased numbers of our peoples being educated, training and working within systems and society generally.  Students that I had taught were now managers, tutors, teachers, senior teachers, principals of schools, and working across a range of situations within government and NGO’s.  Others were making their mark in a range of organizations and industry as well as establishing their own enterprises, whilst others were raising their families.  “Making Waves” was truer in the equation rather than slowly sinking. 

Reconciliation is a process, which allows for empathy, healing, and growth towards a future that is owned by all concerned.  Mind you, it isn’t always seen in this light as within our worlds the stresses of everyday living can sometimes blot out the pathways of a stronger spirit within one-self, family, and community.

 I believe that making waves will be realized by the steps we forge in building a strong future for our children.  In other words our children decide for us what will ultimately be our futures. Full circle.