Evolve Newsletter: 2019 September

SPRING CLEAN-UP

EVENTS

WATER RESTRICTIONS

SEPTEMBER 2019

KINGS LANDING Launch of our new Roselands development

Main photo: Kings Landing resident Donna said moving into her new home was like winning the lotto. Bottom left: Residents with Evolve Housing staff and the Mayor of the City of Canterbury Bankstown. Bottom right: Roseland’s residents Milika, Elizabeth and Donna.

Last month, Evolve Housing in partnership with Pacific Link Housing, launched Kings Landing — a development supported by the NSW Government.

This 26-apartment development in Roselands brings much-needed affordable housing to the CanterburyBankstown area.

Attendees included project partners, Mayor of the City of Canterbury Bankstown Clr Khal Asfour and residents. Aunty Lyn Martin delivered a Welcome to Country. The Mayor was joined by the Chairs of Evolve

Housing and Pacific Link Housing as they planted a tree to mark the occasion.

A delicious morning tea was supplied by Aboriginal enterprise Kallico Catering.

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Is your repair urgent or non-urgent?

As a resident, it’s important to understand what constitutes an urgent and non-urgent repair. Knowing whether your request is urgent or not helps us to schedule our maintenance teams.

For any urgent or emergency repairs, it is vital to notify Evolve Housing immediately. Examples of urgent repairs include a burst water pipe or hot water system, blocked or broken toilet, serious roof leak, gas leak, dangerous electrical fault and other types of fault or damage that make your home unsafe.

If your repair is not urgent, please make a request in writing by email to myevolve@evolvehousing.com.au or call 1800 693 865.

For more information, or a full list of urgent repairs, please visit our website at evolvehousing.com.au/all-about-repairs.

News from your resident representatives

KEY Grants

Welcome all fellow residents, to our September 2019 Evolve Housing newsletter.

It’s our opportunity to bring you up-to-date with what’s been happening with our Resident Advisory Group, including our new name and news via the New South Wales (NSW) Tenant Network.

Keep Educating Yourself (KEY) grants provide up to $4,500 over a three-year period to cover course-related expenses such as books, uniforms, fees, specialist equipment or tools. If you’re interested in applying, contact our Community Engagement team for more information on community@evolvehousing.com.au or 1800 693 865.

Are you completing a course at TAFE, university or a private college? You may be eligible to access financial support through Evolve Housing to make completing your studies easier.

One of our group’s function is having two representatives on the NSW Tenant Network. The Network are holding their meetings here at Evolve Housing’s head office now. Their October 14th meeting will be a great one, starting at 10.30am with guest speaker James Lim giving a talk on “Ageing in the Asian Community”.

A BBQ lunch will be provided after the event and spaces are limited, so contact the Network Secretary Ms. Susan Lucock on (02) 4789 0106 or email blueemu@ optusnet.com.au to book your spot. Tenants from other Community Housing Providers will also be attending.

Our Opera House Tour happened on August 21st. It was a fantastic outing and chance to see behind-thescenes of this iconic building. Keep an eye out for future holiday events and Christmas news, as well as training or educational events.

Have any suggestions for your local community needs or activities? Please contact us through Evolve Housing, or join us on the third Monday of each month from 10am till midday at Evolve Housing’s Head Office.

Thanks and stay well — Your resident reps.

Water restrictions Due to the prolonged drought conditions in New South Wales, water restrictions currently apply to everyone in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra — this includes residents and businesses.

These restrictions limit how and when you can use drinking water outdoors and affect how you can use water for activities including watering lawns and gardens, cleaning vehicles and buildings, filling pools and spas, and cleaning hard surfaces such as paths and driveways. Fines of $220 apply to individuals who breach water restrictions after September 1.

For more information, visit the Sydney Water website at sydneywater.com.au.

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Spring clean-up!

Spring is officially here and it’s the perfect time to spruce up your home and recycle unwanted items.

If you’re planning on doing a bit of Spring cleaning this September, use our tips to make the task a bit simpler!

• When sorting through old clothes, children’s toys, gadgets and household appliances, be brutally honest with yourself. Have you used the item in the past year?

Can you think of any solid, realistic uses that may arise in the year to come? If not, consider donating it to charity, recycling it or disposing of it thoughtfully.

• If you have trouble saying goodbye to your old possessions, try sorting them into three piles when cleaning — to keep, to donate and to think about.

The last takes away the pressure of making a decision straight away, and you can return to this one in a week.

• Rather than throw out your old or out of season clothes, consider how you can give them new life. If you have clothes in a decent condition, give them to a friend or relative or donate them to a charity op shop. If they are

Out and about in the community

in too poor a condition to re-wear, you could always try to turn them into household cleaning cloths.

• If you have e-waste (electronic equipment that you no longer use, including computers, mobile phones, televisions and fax machines), please don’t dispose of it in your ordinary bin. If you do, toxic substances may enter the environment when your waste goes into landfill. Instead, many local councils have a special e-waste drop off day or location.

• If you have a lot of bulky items to get rid of, such as furniture, white goods, or mattresses, consider booking in a council clean-up — most councils will offer a few free pick-ups a year. Contact your local council to find out what you need to do to arrange this.

Resident Advisory Group

Are you interested in making a difference in your local community, representing your fellow Evolve Housing residents and providing input to our policies and services?

Over the past few months, our team have been busy meeting community members at Evolve Housing and our partners’ events.

Check out the photo of our staff at the fabulous Jamisontown NAIDOC Week.

We are looking for new members of our Resident Advisory Group. Any resident over the age of 18 is welcome to apply to become a member. You can choose how you would like to be involved – it may be by attending a monthly meeting in our Parramatta office, being on an email group to give feedback as needed, or providing input on policy issues. For more information or to apply, contact Rob by emailing community@evolvehousing.com.au.

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Register fo

Save the date

evolvehousing.cormev.aents at u/whats-on or by calling 1800 m yevolv e (1800 693 865).

We always have fun activities and events planned to entertain, inspire and educate our residents. Take a look at what’s coming up over the next few months, and don’t forget to save the date and keep your eye on our website for more information.

Imaginate — Little Athletes

Money Management Workshops

These money skills workshops will help you learn how to save, pay off debt and balance the family budget. Workshops run for 3 hours and will run one day a week for three weeks. Please note that the presenter will not provide financial advice. You will hear general tips about how to be better with money.

Parramatta sessions When: Every second Wednesday starting from Wednesday 9th October, 1pm–4pm Where: Evolve Housing Office, 9–13 Argyle Street, Parramatta

A free school holiday activity to get your kids outside, running around and trying different sports.

Kids will also get to make their very own veggie person and slinky apples to get them interested in healthy foods.

There will be lots of prizes and giveaways.

Blacktown area event When: Thursday 3rd October, 1.30pm–4pm Where: Blacktown Showgrounds (opposite Grounds Keeper Café), 49 Richmond Rd, Blacktown Bankstown area event When: Thursday 10th October, 1.30pm–4pm Where: Gazzard Park, Corner of Cooper Road and Ritchie Road, Yagoona Digital Basics Workshops

Bankstown sessions When: Every second Thursday starting from Thursday 26th September, 1pm–4pm Where: Community room, 42–44 Leonard Street, Bankstown Annual Resident Meeting

We will be holding our Annual Resident Meeting on Wednesday 20th November.

The event is an opportunity for residents to hear about Evolve Housing’s performance over the last year and what’s ahead in 2020. Join us for a delicious FREE lunch.

All Evolve Housing residents are welcome.

When: 11.00m – 1.30pm, Wednesday 20th November Where: Parramatta RSL, 2 Macquarie Street, Parramatta

Learn how to use your computer and smartphone while also gaining confidence online with this fun and easy course.

Parramatta session When: Every second Wednesday starting from Wednesday 9th October, 10am–11.30am Where: Evolve Housing Head Office, 9–13 Argyle Street, Parramatta Bankstown session When: Every second Thursday starting from Thursday 26th September, 10am–11.30am Where: Community room, 42–44 Leonard Street, Bankstown Women’s chat

Healthy workshop

Join Evolve Housing’s female residents for a chat about what’s happening in the community, and make some new friends.

The coffee is on us and all women are welcome!

Interested in a workshop to learn tips about healthy shopping and cooking? Register your interest by emailing community@evolvehousing.com.au.

When: Wednesday 2nd October, 10.30am – 12.00pm Where: Oliver Brown café, Level 2 Bankstown Central Shopping Centre, 180 Stacey Street, Bankstown

CHRISTMAS PARTY

Getting to know you

We have officially booked our resident Christmas Party and this year will be better than ever! We’ll be celebrating at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour, with a pirate theme — perfect for dress-up lovers. If you’re keen to come celebrate the festive season with us, then keep Sunday 8th December free. Our website will have more information soon, including how to register.

What are your hobbies? Do you have a dream job?

Would you like to be guided on how to turn your hobby into your dream job? We want to hear from you!

Complete a survey by visiting http://bit.ly/septsurvey19 or learn more by emailing community@evolvehousing.com.au.

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