Institute Farewells Inaugural Patrons [19.04.2009]
On the evening of Friday 7th November the Institute fare-welled its inaugural Patrons, Justice Michael Kirby and Professor Lowitja O'Donoghue at a buffet dinner. It was a memorable night: important things were said; swansongs were sung and there was much camaraderie.
Lowitja O'Donoghue and Michael Kirby at their farewell function
Lowitja spoke of her elation over Barack Obama's recent election and reflected on the challenges she herself faced having one black and one white parent and the expectations this created for her. Lowitja spoke of the importance of the stories people tell, which shape how they perceive themselves and the worlds they inhabit, and the challenge which these stories can pose to dominant conceptions and ideals.
Michael spoke about the power of ideas that, over time, can work fundamental change. He spoke of the use of international human rights law developed in the UN system and how this has been put into effect in cases in Bangalore, India and within the Mabo judgement in Australia.
Lowitja gave the audience pause for thought with a rendition of 'Whiter than Snow' a song she had been taught at Colebrook Home, the institution she was placed in after being removed from her mother at the age of two. Michael responded by saying that within his life although he was not taught to be 'whiter than snow', he was encouraged to be 'straighter than straight.'
They both spoke of the idea to be co-runners in the 2009 Australian Idol series. “Now, that really would offer a great representation of difference, identity and culture, wouldn’t it?”
Phillip Darby thanked the patrons for how much they have contributed to the life of the Institute, particularly how they encouraged us to reach out to a broader constituency and to apply postcolonial theory to the problems at hand. “We hope”, he said, “that as you go out into the sunset together – to use Michael’s phrase – you have the satisfaction of knowing that you have left the Institute better placed than before to make, at least, a modest difference.”