Homeland and the first four years

Together they shared a vision of what they called a New Age of consciousness and understanding. They knew that people needed each other and wanted to give of themselves in the hope of a better world and brighter future. They dwelled on the positive affirmation that the renaissance of spiritual man would be heralded from within the individual. The inherent goodness in all people needed but to be awoken. Their dream was not new but one that echoed the hope of humankind through the ages - mankind has always been seeking itself. Homeland was another venue for the search, another pocket in time where people would come and stand before the mirror and fathom the image before them.

What was seen in those early years at Homeland was personal, for each encounter affected everyone differently. It inspired action and catalysed reaction. At times it was tender and trusting and at others it appeared scathing and painful. Tears were not uncommon when rubbing shoulders, for sharp edges to personalities were being chipped away.

The first four years also saw the coming and going of many structures related to the governing of the community. With the cleansing of themselves and the casting aside of habitual ways they were setting a course into uncharted water. The going would be rough and unneeded emotional baggage was encouraged to be thrown overboard. With that, the community threw the structures overboard as well and the call was for the individual to be responsible, people wanted the space to make their own mistakes and find their own level of contribution. There were no blueprints for this project only enthusiasm and an unchallengeable will to make it work.

One of the structures that survived the sweep of unlimited expression through the group, was the establishment of a Foundation - a Charitable Trust of which the property at Thora became its sole asset. A Constitution was drawn up, aims and objectives were scrutinised, Trustees were elected and the Federal and State Government finally recognised and registered the Homeland Foundation as a spiritually-based, non-profit Charitable organisation. Amidst the ignorance, innocence and noble intention the group had established a vital organ of administration and responsibility, with an authority that would only be realised in the years to come.

The 1st 4 Years
Thirty four people moved to Homeland in that first year, they settled in tents and caravans and lived in and around the farm house that served them well. The house provided them with a laundry, and served their meals, it was a sleeping place and housed their meetings and evenings of fun; it drew them together and kept them warm, and was a mother to everyone.To facilitate the outworking of the community an administration structure was initiated, responsibilities were realised and accepted and people worked together in departments, the house, the garden, building and maintenance, guest and personal, audio and publications and care and time was devoted to the children. With all hands the physical work was made easier and much was achieved. Yet Homeland has never been about self-sufficiency on that level, for when many heads and hearts come together the task to care and nurture the emotional being is far more daunting. Homeland was dedicated to human development, mental, physical and spiritual. Who amongst the Homelanders had the credentials to guide them, for they were a diverse group of people from a host of different backgrounds. They were young and single, married with families, some were retired. Their occupations spread from professional to laymen, from worker to thinker and those amongst them who had showed leadership qualities relinquished them in the hope of true democracy. They shared no common religion and questioned not each other's faith, so where were they heading? What was it that had drawn them together? Was it tangible and real and could it be expressed?

Together they shared a vision of what they called a New Age of consciousness and understanding. They knew that people needed each other and wanted to give of themselves in the hope of a better world and brighter future. They dwelled on the positive affirmation that the renaissance of spiritual man would be heralded from within the individual. The inherent goodness in all people needed but to be awoken. Their dream was not new but one that echoed the hope of humankind through the ages - mankind has always been seeking itself. Homeland was another venue for the search, another pocket in time where people would come and stand before the mirror and fathom the image before them. What was seen in those early years at Homeland was personal, for each encounter affected everyone differently. It inspired action and catalysed reaction. At times it was tender and trusting and at others it appeared scathing and painful. Tears were not uncommon when rubbing shoulders, for sharp edges to personalities were being chipped away. The first four years also saw the coming and going of many structures related to the governing of the community. With the cleansing of themselves and the casting aside of habitual ways they were setting a course into uncharted water. The going would be rough and unneeded emotional baggage was encouraged to be thrown overboard. With that, the community threw the structures overboard as well and the call was for the individual to be responsible, people wanted the space to make their own mistakes and find their own level of contribution. There were no blueprints for this project only enthusiasm and an unchallengeable will to make it work. One of the structures that survived the sweep of unlimited expression through the group, was the establishment of a Foundation - a Charitable Trust of which the property at Thora became its sole asset. A Constitution was drawn up, aims and objectives were scrutinised, Trustees were elected and the Federal and State Government finally recognised and registered the Homeland Foundation as a spiritually-based, non-profit Charitable organisation. Amidst the ignorance, innocence and noble intention the group had established a vital organ of administration and responsibility, with an authority that would only be realised in the years to come.

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