Six of Pentacles – Waltzing With Matilda's

generosity, charity, community, material help, support, sharing, giving and receiving, gratitude

It is no news to those who love Tarot that the cards can help us talk about the good, the bad and the ugly things that we all face on this planet. These images can help us to find the words to describe how we are feeling. Cards like the Six of Pentacles also have the capacity to draw out long buried stories that speak of two way currency, benevolent give and take, that have the power to inspire us. Give and take can be more complex than we first realise. While we may give and take with no strings attached sometimes there are other agendas at play.

Elizabeth Austin is acknowledged by the Victorian Government as “the country’s first female benefactor and the most prominent woman philanthropist of her generation”. A statement also points out that “her influence, at a time before social security and welfare provisions were provided by government, continues to benefit women and the Victorian community today”.

History has a way of focusing on one primary achievement. There is no question that Austin was open to a two way flow of money and that her support of what became known as the Austin Hospital for the Incurables left a large footprint on the Victorian Health system. It was Elizabeth Austin who persuaded the Victorian government to donate land on which to build the hospital and she contributed £6,000 for building works. The Austin is now a major health institution, world renowned for its research and specialist work.

Elizabeth also had a passion to improve the lives of older and poorer women at a time when there were no welfare provisions being provided by the government. However, while she helped many less fortunate people, as an article by the Geelong Cemeteries trust points out, using her voice, she had a rich life and many of her other actions continue to have a ripple effect. For example, while she is know for her philanthropy and community work, her eight surviving children made good marriages and their ancestors, not only proudly carry the name, but have made significant contributions to society.

generosity, charity, community, material help, support, sharing, giving and receiving, gratitude

The Five and Six of Pentacles can describe the almost cliche rags to riches story and equally can help us celebrate triumph in the face of adversity.

Ruby Hunter (1955-2010), singer/songwriter, was a Ngarrindjeri/ Kukatha/ Pitjantjatjara woman from South Australia. At the age of eight she and her four siblings and herself were taken from their family. She was placed in the Seaforth Children’s Home. Ruby remembered that the Government Authorities simply arrived one day in a big car, promising their grandmother that they were taking the children to the circus. At the time they were living with their grandmother on the Coorong at Meningie.

Ruby believed that the achievement of which she was most proud was keeping her family – Roach, their two children and three foster children – together as a stable unit.

While homeless Ruby met Archie Roach, also a member of the Stolen Generations, who had drifted to Adelaide from Mildura across the Victorian border. They met at a Salvation Army drop in centre as they were both living on the street. Forming a unique friendship during their time together on the streets of Adelaide, they formed an enduring bond that would last for the rest of Ruby’s life. They were inseparable partners.

During her life Ruby worked tirelessly to support and encourage young Aboriginal people, running an open house for teenagers. Ruby and Archie together cared for 14 children in a family house group home run by the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency. Later they made their own home a welcoming haven for homeless and disadvantaged young people.

Ruby was also a strong advocate against domestic violence, and a voice for the stolen generations, and between them Ruby and Archie raised many foster children with their own two boys. Ruby believed that the achievement of which she was most proud was keeping her family – Roach, their two children and three foster children – together as a stable unit. She died of a heart attack at the age of 55.