Communitylink

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Link Housing Ltd ACN 003 0840 928 (02) 9412 5111 Level 12, 815 Pacific Hwy, Chatswood www.linkhousing.org.au

summer2016

Hello from Andrew...............................1

New Staff Introductions........................2

Link Housing and White Ribbon..........2

TAG’s Corner........................................3

Calling for Scripts and Actors!............3

Link Housing’s End of Year Event.......4

NEW! Link Housing Blog.....................5

Link Office Hours for Dec/Jan 2017.....5

Season’s Greetings..............................6

In thIs Issue

hello from Andrew

It’s hard to believe that another year is drawing to a close. 2016 has been an exciting year for Link Housing in many ways.

We have achieved many important milestones including most recently becoming a White Ribbon Accredited Workplace (see the story below). We also successfully achieved certification against the Australian/New Zealand Occupational Health & Safety Standard (AS/NZS 4801:2001).

We are extremely proud of these achievements and will continue to work with our staff, Board, tenants and all stakeholders to promote the safety of all women, tenants and staff.

We recently held the Link Housing tenant end of year party and it was wonderful to see so many in attendance. I hope those who came along enjoyed the night!

We have welcomed various new members to the Link Housing team this year, with our most recent addition being Mark Woodward in the important role of Chief Financial Officer.

Link will be staying open over the Christmas/New Year period, except for the public holidays. Please do reach out should you require any assistance over this time.

Finally, I’d like to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and safe holiday season. I look forward to saying hello again soon.

Andrew McAnulty, CEO, Link Housing

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new staff Introductions!

Our new Chief Financial Officer Mark recently joined Link Housing as the Chief Financial Officer. Prior to this, Mark worked at accounting firm KPMG and also at Westpac – providing a great deal of experience in management,finance and innovative solutions to funding.

He will play an important part in ensuring that Link Housing continues to be a well-managed and efficient community housing provider, with a sound approach to managing risks and focused on quality of services and outcomes.

Mark loves sports, particularly cricket and rugby and can often be found on summer weekends at his youngest son’s cricket matches somewhere in Northern Sydney.

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Our new Assistant Accountant Ali recently joined Link Housing as the Assistant Accountant in the Finance Team. He comes to us with great experience in the financial sector and dealing with people.

He hopes to help Link Housing continue to deliver the highest quality of customer service and develop great relationships with his fellow Link staff and tenants.

Outside of work, Ali really enjoys catching up with family & friends and his soccer (both watching and playing).

Ali looks forward to meeting many of you during his time with Link Housing.

Link housing and White Ribbon

LInK hOusInG COMMIts tO enDInG VIOLenCe AGAInst WOMen

Link Housing has become a White Ribbon accredited workplace. Andrew McAnulty, Link Housing, CEO, said, ‘we are proud to become a White Ribbon accredited workplace. Our team are passionate advocates for this important cause. We will continue to inspire as many people as we can to engage in conversations and activities to end violence against women.’

Link Housing’s White Ribbon committee led the accreditation process. Over the past year, the organisation has held violence awareness training, reviewed its policies including the addition of special leave for any staff who may experience domestic abuse and developed a staff online resource centre.

Libby Davies, White Ribbon, CEO, said ‘White Ribbon Australia and Link Housing are aligned in their vision of an Australia where women can live in safety, free from violence and abuse. Link Housing has demonstrated a high level of commitment to addressing violence against women both inside and outside the workplace through supporting its own staff as well as their own service delivery to housing tenants. Their commitment to driving positive social change is inspiring.’

For more information about White Ribbon and to access support resources and services, please visit: www.whiteribbon.org.au

Stephanie Callanan, White Ribbon andAndrew McAnulty, Link Housing CEO

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In addition, Link Housing held various fundraising events in support of White Ribbon, including a community treasure hunt and involvement in Willoughby Council’s Swim for a Cause event. The effort resulted in $1023.50 being raised for White Ribbon Australia and Delvena Women’s Refuge.

tAG’s corner

Comments from two of our TAG members:

“Becoming TAG members has been a great opportunity for us. By liaising directly with Link Housing, we’ve been able to gain a better understanding of the needs of tenants and what is needed to provide safe and secure homes. It has been wonderful to form links with tenants and the provider.”

“As TAG members, we have been able to work together as a team to forge common goals for the future of all Link Housing tenants. The TAG meetings have been a great place to learn, and have given us a deep appreciation for our tenants and Link Housing. Being part of TAG gives us a sense of worth and joy.”

We would encourage anyone interested, to step up and volunteer to be a TAG member. It is a privilege to serve as a part of this team, its rewards are infinite, character building and help to build-on and develop various skills, such as leadership and communications. We learn from one another and work together as a team.

More information about how to get involved is available on the Link website:http://www.linkhousing.org.au/get-involved.html

Calling for script Contributions and Actors!

Link Housing is very excited to announce that commencing in February 2017, we will be collaborating with the Milk Crate Theatre to develop a short interactive play. This is no ordinary play!!! It will be drawn from your life stories and performed by those who wish to participate alongside two Milk Crate Actors. The play will look at community housing and all the challenges, fears and joys you live each day.

Anyone can join us in developing this piece and a few courageous individuals will continue on to perform at a number of venues across the Northern Suburbs, in front of audiences including fellow tenants, government officials, housing workers and the general public! So come along to have your say, tell us your story and become part of a consultation process that will help shape the future of Link Housing and the community housing sector. We hope some public housing tenants will join in too.

Performance Workshop (3 days)Dates: Mid-February 2017 (dates and times to be advised).Where: The Chatswood Club, 11 Help Street, Chatswood. Transport and lunch will be included for all 3 days.

Performances (5-7 performances)Dates: End-February to Mid-March 2017 (dates and times to be advised).Where: Northern suburbs venues-Councils, Halls, Community Centres, RSL’s (venues to be advised) and a performance at the Link Forum at the Epping Club 24 February 2017.

To register you interest and for more information, please contact Melinda Roche atmelinda.roche@linkhousing.org.au02 9412 5111

Link’s Team at Swim for a Cause

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Link housing’s end of Year event

Winners announced!The winners of the Gardening completion were announced. There were initially four categories and thank you to all who entered. The categories were: • General Garden • Balcony Garden • Herb and Vegetable Garden • Communal or Shared Garden

Following some spectacular entries from young household members the additional category of Junior Gardener was added.

Congratulations to all entrants and winners, we thank you for the care and effort you lavish on your homes.

It was great to see all who were able to attend the tenant party. Link staff enjoyed spending the evening with everyone who was able to come along. There was a good meal and a magic show to entertain. Fifteen luck winners walked away with a Lucky Door prize!

The winners of the Grandparent’s Day colouring competition were also announced. Entrants were encouraged to offer artwork and words of appreciation for their grandparents.

Words of appreciation included… “I can always play badminton with him” “My Grandpa’s bugle” “My Grandma’s teddy bears”

And the pictures capture the love…

The magicianand his rabbit

Lucky Doorprize winner

Enjoying the meal

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neW! Link housing Blog

Did you know Link Housing has a new blog? What’s a blog? A blog is simply a place where you can read intersting information online. Over the coming weeks, we will be answering a range of questions about community housing, the work we do and information that you may find useful – check in every week and have a look.

Simply visit the Link Housing website and on the home page click on icon called ‘Blog’.www.linkhousing.org.au

Link Housing Office Hours for December/January 2017

OUR OFFICES WILL ONLY BE CLOSED ON THE PUBLIC HOLIDAYS OF 26TH AND 27TH DECEMBER, 2016 AND 2ND JANUARY, 2017.

We are OPEN on:Wednesday 28th December from 1.00pmThursday 29th DecemberWednesday 30th December

Usual business hours apply from Tuesday 3rd January, 2017 and we will be open from 9am.

EMERGENCY OUT OF HOURS REPAIRS:Electrical repairs: 9412 5191Plumbing Repairs: 9412 5190

6Newsletter Design by Samuel Luke 2016