BY TENANTS FOR TENANTS

ARGYLERAutumn 2016 Tenant Newsletter

Greetings from the CEOWelcome to the new year, although it feels like we have just recovered from Christmas and the Easter bunny is in our supermarkets… The year is in full swing with the announcement from the state government of the Future Directions for social housing in NSW.

Future Directions for Social Housing in NSW sets out the Government’s vision for social housing over the next

10 years. A vision which will reduce homelessness, provide more housing and support for those needing social housing and provide more support to help people divert from or successfully transition out of the social housing system.

Future Directions is underpinned by three strategic priorities:• More social housing• More opportunities, support and incentives to avoid and/or leave social housing• A better social housing experience.

Future Directions is backed by the whole of Government – including Health, Education, Justice, Planning and Environment, Industry and Family and Community Services. The good news in the policy for Argyle is that community housing has the opportunity to grow and take on more of the social housing, instead of Government. It also will mean resources to support people with their tenancy. I would encourage you to have a look at the policy. It’s not very big and I would be interested to hear your thoughts. As the details of the policy unfold we will communicate these to you and seek your feedback.

In March and April I will be sending you a letter and asking you to attend a “catch up” with me to discuss the service we give to you and what we aren’t doing correctly. This time I will be inviting you to either a day time session or for those of you with commitments through the day, an evening time session. The dates are in this newsletter and keep an eye out for your invite.

I always enjoy catching up with you and getting your ideas on how we can better support you. Thank you for your ongoing support to Argyle. We appreciate you looking after the properties and paying your rent.

Best wishes,

Wendy MiddletonArgyle CEO

Welcome

Contents

Diversity4 Cultural awareness day

in Wagga4 Welcome to new tenants

in Yanco, NSW

Collaboration5 Queanbeyan tenants

Christmas raffle5 Close knit Kalorama

Opportunity6 Age is only a number6 Poem: Common Ground7 2015 tenant award winners

Partnership8 Argyle launches a social

awareness challenge for youth

8 Griffith scholarship recipient off to university

Community9 Junee licorice and

chocolate factory tour9 New outreach service in

Goulburn warmly received

Adaptability10 Introducing the new

Deputy CEO

Accountability11 ‘Save the date’ for

2016 tenant forums11 Summary and action from

December tenant forums

Upcoming Office ClosuresFor all urgent repairs during this time please refer to the emergency contact numbers within your lease, as these vary per property.

MARCH 2016

GRIFFITHWAGGAYOUNG

ALL OFFICES9AM-5PM

ALL OFFICES9AM-5PM

ALL OFFICES9AM-5PM

GRIFFITH 11.00AM-5PMWAGGA 1.00PM-5PMYOUNG 2.00PM-5PM

Contents

4 | The Argyler

Diversity

After a very warm welcome by Donna and Susan our

indigenous native leaders for the day they talked about where they were born and a brief history of their lives growing up.

We were all then invited to introduce ourselves and give a brief history of our lives.

A game was played called ‘Who Am I’ which brought many laughs.

We were then treated to a morning tea, homemade cookies made and flavoured with all natural ingredients, such as lemon myrtle.

After watching a short movie, role reversal and a discussion on what it meant , lunch was served. Once again we were treated to some indigenous foods.

The day finished with painting our lives on canvas and learning indigenous symbols.

The day was enjoyed by all who attended. We gained a new and different perspective on indigenous culture and the issues they face. Well done to Donna and Susan.

On the 22nd of October last year Wagga tenants were invited to participate in a cultural awareness day.

Cultural Awareness Dayin Wagga

Written by an Argyle tenant

Welcome to new tenants in YancoBy Joanne Rutter, Argyle Team Leader for the Murrumbidgee

As of January 2016 ‘Eventide Homes’ in Yanco, became part of the Argyle community and we would like to warmly welcome all the tenants. The Argyle team enjoyed a lovely day with the tenants in January, having a BBQ lunch and getting to know everyone. We came away from that day knowing just why we work in Community Housing.

Located in Yanco ( a village within the Leeton Shire,

NSW) the site consists of 14 brick veneer units that were established for low cost independent housing for aged persons back in 1973. Argyle plans to complete much needed improvement works to the properties including the replacement of coin-operated electricity meters, internal and external painting, new hand rails, hard-wired smoke detectors and floor coverings.

We look forward to looking after these new Argyle tenants, introducing them to our tenant engagement program and overall improving their quality of life through property improvements, high levels of support and great customer service.

The Argyler | 5

Collaboration

The 2015 Christmas get together for the Queanbeyan tenants was held at the Tigers Club in Karabar.

By Kathy Loxley, Argyle tenant

Argyle manages a complex of 55 units located at Conder in the ACT for over 55’s called Kalorama.

By Irene Scott, Argyle tenant

Queanbeyan tenants Christmas raffle for St Benedicts

Close knit Kalorama enjoy their

The tables looked inviting and Christmassy with nibbles

and bon-bons which everyone cracked and wore the hats which were inside the bonbons. Everyone got into the spirit of it all and enjoyed themselves.

The lunch was delicious, turkey, chicken and ham with all the trimmings, followed by Christmas pudding with custard - yummy!

Several tenants attended the celebrations along with Barbara and Mataina who represented the local office and made us all

feel very welcome. Everyone present had a good time, thank you Argyle!

The Christmas raffle was drawn at the conclusion of the meal with several hampers up for grabs.

Many thanks to all the tenants who took the time to sell tickets to the public with all the proceeds going to St Benedicts.

Special thanks goes to Lorraine Grey and Dorothy Lamont for procuring donations from several local businesses

to make up the hampers. Well done one and all.

The proceeds from the ticket sales was presented to St Benedicts in the form of cheque gladly accepted by Nikki from St Benedicts.

One of the units (number 44) was allocated to the

residents as a complex community room where Argyle meets with the tenants on a monthly basis

Unit 44 also has a “Happy Hour” every Friday night from 5pm until late, where residents can get together for a social evening. On Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons some residents get together for a games afternoon and bring along afternoon tea. There is also an op shop which is open every Friday night which is run by one of the residents.

Argyle management and staff are currently organising a car port/gazebo for the courtyard of unit 44 so that tenants who frequent the community room can sit outside in the summer evenings.

Arrangements are also being made to install an air conditioner through the Vincent de Paul Home Energy Efficiency Program for the comfort of residents who use 44 on hot summer days.

common area

Opportunity

6 | The Argyler

By Graeme Flaherty, Argyle Tenant

There is a light and a beautiful sound

At the Building known as Common Ground

The people there have a common cause

Before Common Ground some of our lives hit a pause

The building is made of social and affordable

But we all come together as adorable

Whether we are friends or neighbours

We always help each other out with favours

Common Ground is comprised with 40 housesMost people single, some

with spousesEveryone in the building is

nice and gets along, like the birds in the tress singing a

beautiful songThe staff at Common Ground are the best money can buy, they never hesitate to smile

and say Hi!Whether it’s Argyle,

Northside or security, it just gives us that added assurity

They go above and beyond to meet our needs

Whether it’s to help with a job or plant strawberry seeds

When it comes to strife and pain, there is immunity, Common Ground is a very

special community

Interview with Peter Sandstrom, Argyle tenant

To start things off, tell us a bit about yourselfMy name is Peter Sandstrom, I’m 80 years old and I’ve lived in the highlands for 13 years.

I worked in the Air Line Industry with QANTAS as a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer and General Aviation. For 10 years I taught Engineering basics + planes Boeing 747 and B767 engines and airframes. Spent 3 years in Industrial Relations as assistant to the Deputy General at TAFE.

What have you been up to the past 12 months?After my wife died some time ago, I filled 2015 with learning how to get the most out of my new laptop computer that my daughter Tanya gave me for my birthday.

I enrolled in Moss Vale TAFE and completed a 14 unit computer course in which I learnt about email, digital photos, word processing and keyboarding skills. I enjoyed meeting new people and learning about the technology of today. I attended a very helpful and professional 3 day course at the Highlands Community Centre in Bowral about getting to know My SMART phone.

I also attending some cooking classes offered through Argyle. I learnt to cook fired rice, Thai curry and the many ways to cook eggs – I found it to be very difference from studying Jet aircraft.

What keeps you active and motivated?I am always interested in learning new skills and improving my knowledge. Having an interest in technology and cultures keeps me young at heart.

Any tips for anyone feeling a little intimidated by new technology?Live and learn, never think yourself too old to try and learn new things.

Do you have a mantra that you live by?Age is only a number, and try to do the right things by others.

What are you looking forward to over the next 12 months?To have my knowledge and experience utilised for the better of society by pursuing the possibilities introduced by the Age and Disability Discrimination Commissioner Susan Ryan – Senator and Ambassador for Mature Age Employment. Susan Ryan’s proposal supports employers to hire older Australian who are unemployed and on income support and I plan to explore my options within the introduced system.

Common Ground

Age is only a number

Daniel & Jody WhiteVolunteer Award

- Bowral

Wendy McIntosh Commitment to Argyle

Tenant Committee Award - Bowral

Elaine GriffithsCommitment to Argyle

Tenant Committee Award - Queanbeyan

Kathy LoxleyCommitment to Argyle

Tenant Committee Award & Good Neighbour Award

- Queanbeyan

Kelly WeldonNeighbourhood Watch Awards - Queanbeyan

Katrina FaulderOutstanding Achievement

Award - Queanbeyan

Geoff BowerGood Neighbour Awards

- ACT

Irene ScottCommunity Spirit Award

- ACT

Helen CavanaghCommitment & Contribution

to Argyle - Campbelltown

Eric ThirdCommunity Wellbeing Award

(Disability) - Campbelltown

Other winners include:

Georgina FallonCommunity Spirit Award - Bowral

Leo BehanGood Neighbour Award - Bowral

Patrick WalshGood Neighbour Awards - Griffith

Barry DixonCommunity Spirit Award - Young

Phillip RoweCommitment & Contribution to Argyle Award - ACT

The awards were announced at Argyle’s annual general meeting on Tuesday the 17th November at the Gungahlin Lakes Golf & Community Club. The event was broadcast live online and is still

available to watch at www.argylehousing.com.au/agm2015.

Congratulations to the following tenants who were nominated by their local Argyle staff members for a 2015 tenant achievement award.

2015 Tenant Award Winners

Opportunity

The Argyler | 7

8 | The Argyler

Partnership

“At Argyle, we understand that we must take a unique

approach when it comes to supporting and inspiring young people. Encouraging this generation to strive for greater confidence, respect and empathy for others is key to building a better future for our communities.” – Wendy Middleton, CEO Argyle Housing.

Tenants aged 14-19 years who commit a minimum of 10 hours over 6 weeks will receive recognition from their community, a certificate of completion and a $200 voucher towards an area of vocational interest or educational expense. Two rounds will be run in 2016, 25 participants at a time – starting in the Wingecarribee,

Macarthur and Wollondilly.nib foundation Executive

Officer, Amy Tribe, said Argyle’s 6 Worthy Weeks challenge is an innovative way to engage young people and foster positive action at a grassroots level.

“This initiative not only promises to unearth some unique ways to lend a helping hand to vulnerable people in the community, but will also support the young participants to gain skills in creativity and leadership.”

The $5,000 grant from nib foundation has enabled Argyle to develop and pilot this new initiative and we look forward to sharing the results of this partnership throughout the year ahead.

On 14th February 2016, I travelled with my mum on the train and bus to Wollongong. Leaving home is a big step for me to attend the University of Wollongong to study a Bachelor of Nursing. This has been a long term goal for me and now it has come to fruition thanks to Argyle.

By Emily Curran, Argyle tenant

When Argyle contacted me with their offer

of the “Argyle Tertiary Scholarship”, it meant that I would be able to start my studies straight away. It cleared my mind and I was able to see ahead. This scholarship assisted me with the costs of text books. I am so very grateful and would like to give a big shout out to Vicki and Kelly at the Griffith office.

With thanks to the support of nib foundation, Argyle launched a unique social awareness challenge this February, for young Argyle tenants from the Wingecarribee through to the Macarthur regions. Coined 6 Worthy Weeks, this grass roots initiative is designed to inspire young people to notice others in need of help and then find a solution to this need.

Griffith scholarship recipient off to university

Argyle launches a social awareness challenge for youth

Community

The Argyler | 9

I am writing these few lines to show my appreciation for the support which has been given to me since I first needed help back in the year 2000. There was no office here in Goulburn then and although the service from all of the staff has always been to the highest effectiveness, sometimes I had to wait a little.

By Peter Scharff, Argyle tenant

Now with the foresight, efficiency and regular

improvements we now have an office here in Goulburn.

With such a great Tenancy Officer such as Sallyanne, how can we possibly go wrong. No more calling Queanbeyan, waiting and hoping Sally would get the call and then have time to get everything done.

Now Sally is here, the good service is upgraded to GREAT – thanks Argyle you are once more thinking of your tenants needs.

From a very satisfied old tenant of 16 years.

New outreach service in Goulburn warmly received

Well we finally did it. We managed to organise an event on a day when it didn’t rain. We were finally blessed with great weather.

By Barry Dixon, Argyle tenant

It was awesome to see a lot of new faces attending a Tenant

Participation committee led event for the very first time. As a committee we all hope that this continues.

The group met at the Argyle office bright and early where we boarded the bus and headed for Junee. We stopped at a scenic park for morning tea. After the morning tea our fearless leader Jaime insisted that we pose for a group photo – reluctantly we all agreed. From the park it was on to the Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory.

While at the factory the whole group made their own very yummy jumbo chocolate freckle. We were also treated to an extremely interesting

and very informative tour, which included lots of tasty little samples all of which were beautiful. After the tour the group played a game of vertical bowling which was won by Bailey and Connor.

After lots and lots of chocolate and licorice was purchased we boarded the bus for another lovely park - this time in Cootamundra where we had a picnic lunch and the kids played in the park.

Tired, we boarded the bus and headed for home. The Tenant Participation committee would like to thank all tenants who attended, we hope that you enjoyed the day and look forward to seeing you all at our future events.

Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory Tour

10 | The Argyler

Adaptability

Brad has a diverse career background as he likes to try

out “new and different things”. Starting out at the University of Wollongong Brad spent 7 years studying Social Sciences leading to a particular interest in Public Health. Previous jobs include working in the Aged Care Insurance Industry and Business Consultancy work, while as of now it is Argyle who is pleased to have him on board.

The role of Deputy CEO really appealed to Brad as it presents an opportunity to “help people in challenging situations”. He talks about Australia suffering from the highest rate of concerns (in the world) around housing affordability, and believes “Argyle is in a good position to really help people out”. Brad says his new role will

allow him “to do something good”, as he understands that “anyone can have a bad turn in life”. For Brad the key to support is “linking individuals to education about services so that they can move forward with their lives”.

Brad says his role as the Deputy CEO is to “take advantage of growth opportunities and make sure they align with Argyle’s strategic direction, and [to be] able to sustain and utilise opportunities to take over government housing”. Brad explains that now is an exciting time for community housing as the Government is looking to expand the community housing sector over the next 5-7 years, and he firmly believes that Argyle is “currently in a good

place to negotiate terms and settings with the Government”.

The role also involves “helping Wendy and the board to optimise the core business operation of Argyle, by helping out with strategic operations”. He admits that Argyle’s very broad geographical coverage can present some challenges and this means that part of his job is to ensure that operations across all regions run smoothly.

As a closing message the new Deputy CEO said he looks forward to meeting as many tenants as possible, and that he hopes to be involved in tenant forums as he is keen to hear feedback from Argyle residents.

Welcome to Argyle Brad, on behalf of the staff and tenants, we wish you a rewarding career!

Argyle welcomes new Deputy CEO to BowralThis is an opportunity to welcome Brad Braithwaite to Argyle, as he recently assumed the role of Deputy Chief Executive Officer, located in the Bowral office. I recently spent a bit of time chatting to this very friendly man about his employment background and his aspirations for Argyle. Here are some things we talked about:

By Magdalena Whipper, Argyle tenant

The Argyler | 11

Accountability

SAVE THE DATE2016 Tenant Forums

Come along and have your say!

Argyle will be holding day and evening tenant forum

sessions this year. All tenants will receive a letter from Argyle CEO Wendy Middleton inviting them to their local forum.

This invite will include times, locations and RSVP details - so keep an eye on your letterbox!

UPCOMING DATES

Goulburn WEDNESDAY APRIL 6 Young WEDNESDAY APRIL 6 Wagga THURSDAY APRIL 7Griffith FRIDAY APRIL 8 Queanbeyan WEDNESDAY APRIL 27YassWEDNESDAY APRIL 27 Bowral THURSDAY APRIL 28 TahmoorTHURSDAY APRIL 28Campbelltown MONDAY MAY 2

These meetings were an informal opportunity for

tenants to air their concerns, discuss important issues and have an opportunity to make suggestions about how Argyle can improve its services to tenants. All forums were well attended and Wendy would like to thank all those tenants who came along to share a cuppa and morning or afternoon tea with her.

Update from the recent December tenant forums

You spoke and we listenedDuring November and December, 2015, Argyle’ s CEO, Wendy Middleton, met with tenants across all sites.

5 STARS

• The Argyler (tenant newsletter)

• Employees including new maintenance office positions

• Rent review process & communications

• New brand & logo

AREA CONCERN ACTION TAKEN

Customer service

Response time to tenancy + maintenance issues

Additional training provided throughout January, 2016

Security Wagga tenants in complexes feel unsafe / Ainslie Village residents feel less supported on weekends

Tenants invited to attend security meetings in March

Leasehold maintenance/repairs

Maintenance delays caused by leasehold/landlord arrangements

March 16 new process rolled out to ensure all requests are followed through by all parties

Tenant involvement in decision making

Tenants would like more of a say in the decisions that Argyle makes when purchasing or developing properties

We are currently planning how we can provide tenants with a voice in these matters – if you would be interested in joining a Tenant Advisory Group please email the CEO on wendy.middleton@argylehousing.com.au

Outlying areas Tenants in Picton and Appin feel disconnected

Campbelltown team (closest office) will invite Picton & Appin tenants to a local meeting to discuss outreach service needs and tenant participation.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

Level 1, 32 – 36 Wingecarribee StPO Box 1026 Bowral NSW 2576

P: 02 4861 2753E: info@argylehousing.com.auW: www.argylehousing.com.au

YOUNGGRIFFITH

BOWRAL

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QUEANBEYAN

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A better future forour communities.