Inthisedition,you’llfindhighlightsfromthe conferenceandawards,recognitionofour awardwinners,businessupdatesfromacross ourbrandsandteams,trainingand compliancereminders,sectorinsights,anda lookatsomeoftheexcitingprojectsand initiativescurrentlyunderway.
Areminderthatnominationsformanyinternal awardsareopenyear-round,andeveryteam memberisencouragedtorecognisecolleagues whoaremakingapositiveimpactacrossthe business
Whetherit’sleadership,innovation,customer serviceorcommunitycontribution,takingthetime tonominatesomeoneisameaningfulwayto celebratethepeoplearoundus.
Moreinformationonawardcategoriesandthe nominationprocessisavailableontheintranet.
Aswemovethroughanotherbusyand excitingperiodacrossUniLodgeLiving Groupit’sbeenfantastictoseesomanyof ourpeoplecometogetherforthe2026 ManagersConferenceandAwardsof Excellence.
The3daygatheringprovidedanimportant opportunitytoconnect,reflectontheyear sofar,celebrateachievementsacrossthe business,andlookaheadtothefutureof ourorganisationandthebroaderliving sector.
Ahugecongratulationstothisyear’s winnersandallfinalistsrecognisedacross theAwardsofExcellence.Thecalibreof leadership,care,innovationand operationalexcellenceacrossourteams continuestomakealastingimpactonour residents,clientsandcommunities.
Wearealsogratefultooursponsorsand partnerswhohelpedmaketheconference andawardssuchasuccess.Wehopeto seemoreofyoutherenextyear.
Regards,
TomasJohnsson CEO,UNILODGELIVINGGROUP
By supporting DreamGreen, the UniLodge Living Group have kept 410,851 plastic bottles out of landfill, incineration facilities, and our waterways - a very tangible and meaningful example of what strong partnerships can achieve.
Vendella thanks you for your contribution!
VENDELLA|DIAMONDPARTNER Asourkey2026ManagersConferenceandAwards partner,Vendellasharedsomeinsightsintowho Vendellais,whattheydo,andtheworkthathappens behindthescenes.
ForthosewhomaybelessfamiliarwithVendella,canyousharealittleaboutthe businessandwhatmakesitdifferentintheaccommodationsector?
WestartedinNewZealandin2008withasimplegoal:makelifeeasierforthe accommodationsectorwhileimprovingtheguestexperience.Thatpurposestilldrivesus today.Sincethen,we’vegrownacrossNewZealandandAustralia,supporting accommodationproviderswithproductsandsolutionsthathelpbothresidentsandthe teamsbehindthescenes.Whatmakesusdifferentisourfocus.Ratherthantakingaonesize-fits-allapproach,wespecialiseinhotels,studentaccommodation,andworkforce accommodation.Eachsectorcomeswithitsownpressuresandexpectations,sowetailor ourapproachtofitwhatmattersmostineachenvironment.
WheredoesVendellasitwithintheday-to-dayoperationsofpropertieslikeUniLodge? Inmanyways,Vendellaoperatesquietlyinthebackground.Ouraimistomakethingsso smoothandreliablethatteamsdonothavetothinkaboutustoooften.Whenthingsare workingwell,purchasingiseasy,productsarriveasexpected,deliveriesrunsmoothly,and residentshaveabetterexperience.Thatsupportrunsrightthroughtheprocess-from headofficeprocurement,toproductdesign,packaging,delivery,andtheenduser experience.We’veworkedwithUniLodgeformorethanadecade,andthatlongevityspeaks tothevalueofconsistency,reliability,andunderstandingwhatteamsneeddaytoday
VENDELLA|DIAMONDPARTNER Fromyourperspective,whathasmadethepartnershipbetweenVendellaand UniLodgeworksowell?
Thepartnershipworkswellbecausebothorganisationsarefocusedoncreatingbetter residentexperienceswhilemakingoperationseasierforteamsontheground. Thereisalsoasharedfocusonlong-termimprovement,collaborationandpractical problem-solving.Overtime,thathashelpedbuildastrongpartnershipbasedontrust, opencommunicationandawillingnesstokeepevolvingtogether.
WhatdoesitmeanforVendellatobeaheadlinepartnerforthisyear’sManagers ConferenceandAwards?
Forus,beingaheadlinepartnerforthisyear’sManagersConferenceandAwardsisa meaningfulstepinanalreadystrongrelationshipwithUniLodge.Itreflectshowthe partnershiphasgrownovertime,andweseeitasarealprivilegetobepartofaneventthat bringstogethersomanyofthepeopleshapingtheresidentexperienceacrossthenetwork. We’vebeengenuinelylookingforwardtobeingthere.Morethananything,it’sachanceto spendtimewithUniLodgeteams,hearfirst-handabouttherealitiesofsiteoperations,and betterunderstandwhatmattersmostacrossthebusiness.
“WE BOTH CARE ABOUT COMFORT, QUALITY & CREATING BETTER EXPERIENCES FOR RESIDENTS & TEAMS.” GroupGeneralManager,MichaelBoakes VENDELLA|DIAMONDPARTNER Alothappensbehindthescenesinhigh-use environmentslikestudentaccommodation&BTR. Whatgoesintomakingsureyourproductsarefitfor purpose,andwhatshouldteamskeepinmindwhen replacingkeyitemslikebeddingorfurniture?
Studentaccommodationisademandingenvironment.Unlikeothertypesof accommodationwhereroomsarecheckedandresetregularly,studentsoftenliveinthe sameroomforlongperiods.Thatcreatesadifferentpatternofuse,andproductsneedto performwellunderconstant,everydaydemand
Alotofourfocusgoesintothesmalldetailsthatimprovecomfort,durability,andeaseof useovertime.Withproductslikemattressesandprotectors,evenminorchangesto construction,support,orfitcanmakearealdifference.Whenreplacingkeyitems,wethink it’simportanttolookbeyondupfrontcostandconsiderdurability,comfort,easeof maintenance,andhowwelltheproductsuitstheenvironment.
Sustainabilityisanincreasingfocusacrosstheindustry.HowisVendellaresponding throughitsproductrange,andwhatroleareinitiativeslikeDreamGreenplayinginthat effort?
Sustainabilityhasbeenpartofourthinkingforalongtime,andDreamGreenisoneofthe clearestexamplesofthat.LaunchedinNewZealandin2010,ithashelpeddriveinnovation
TheCEOAwardsforExcellenceremainoneofthemostrespectedhonoursacross UniLodgeLivingGroup,recognisingindividualswhoseimpactextendsfarbeyondtheir roledescriptions.
Intentionallyselective,theawardisreservedforpeoplewhoconsistentlystrengthenthe business,cultureandteamsthroughtheirleadership,influenceandlong-termcontribution. thisyear,theawardwaspresentedtotwoexceptionalleaders:EloiseGilbertandScott Nicholas. Inpresentingtheawards,itwasnotedthatwhatbothrecipientsshareis influence,notjustthroughresults,butthroughthewaytheysupportothers,leadteams andhelpshapethecultureoftheorganisationeveryday.
EloiseGilbert
Eloisewasrecognisedforheroutstandingleadership acrossoneofUniLodge’slargestandmostcomplex regions,leadingmorethan150teammemberswhile overseeingmajoruniversitypartnershipsand operationalprograms. HerleadershipofUniLodge’s largestnightmanagementtransitionto24/7operations washighlightedasasignificantachievement,delivered withstrategicclarity,operationaldisciplineanddeep investmentinherpeople
PreviousWinners ScottNicholas Scottwasrecognisedforhisextraordinaryinfluence acrossthebusinesssincejoiningUniLodgein2018.
Knownforhistechnicalexpertise,problem-solving mindsetandabilitytodrivecomplexstrategic initiatives,Scotthasbecomeatrustedadvisoracross theorganisationandakeycontributortomanyof UniLodge’smostsignificantprojectsandoperational improvements.
TheawardalsocarriesaproudlegacywithinUniLodgeLivingGroup.Previousrecipients includeLauraRoberts,JacobWaitere,KeithHolt,BradleyBrown,RachelCummingand SarahCumming, allofwhomhavemadealastingcontributiontotheorganisationthrough theirleadership,commitmentandimpact. Iamincrediblyproudoftheseindividualsand deeplygratefulfortheirloyaltyandongoingcommitmenttoourbusiness.
IampleasingtoseetheCEOAwardforExcellencecontinuetorecogniseleaderswho demonstratethevalues,integrityandprofessionalismthathelpshapeUniLodgeLiving Groupandsupportourcontinuedgrowth.
KayellePo'ona,TalentAcquisitionAdvisor
ClaireLiao,GeneralManagerPortfolio, SouthAustralia
ElizangelaSosaChong,ResidentialLifeManager, Curtin-TwinDolphinHall
RochelleBrown(FinancialAccountant)& ANU-AfterHoursTeam
NicoletteHulme,MarketingManager
ShernalieAmarasekera
NathanZoch,PropertyManagerOperations,& AnnaGuo,UniLodgeWellesley
FelixChow,PropertyManagerOperations, UniLodgeonWaymouth
KimRiley,SeniorMaintenanceManagerPortfolio
AndrewWard,SalesManager,ULRealty
ElizangelaSosaChong,ResidentialLifeManager, Curtin-TwinDolphinHall
MatthewKelly,GeneralManager,Facilities
NOTRIANGLES:ASIMPLELEADERSHIPLESSONWITH BIGIMPACT Wewillsharemoreonthelearningsandtakeawaysfromtheconference,butoneofthe standoutleadershipthemesfromthisyear’sManagersConferencecamefromguest speakerRachaelRobertsonandhersimplebutpowerfulconcept:“NoTriangles” .
Drawnfromherexperienceleadingteamsinextremeenvironments,themessagefocused ontheimportanceofdirect,respectfulcommunicationandtheroleitplaysinbuilding trust,accountabilityandhigh-performingteams.Ratherthanspeakingaboutsomeonetoa thirdperson,the“NoTriangles”approachencouragespeopletoaddresschallengesdirectly andconstructivelywiththepersoninvolved.
Theconceptsparkedstrongdiscussionacrossthe conference,withmanyleadersagreeingonthe importanceofcreatingteamcultureswhere feedbackishandledrespectfully,issuesare addressedearly,andcommunicationremains openandconsistentaswecontinuetogrow.
Thankyouagaintoeveryonewhocontributedto theconversations,ideasandenergyacrossthe conference.Wehopeyouleftfeelingconnected andinspiredforwhatcomesnext.
FUNDAMENTALSTRAINING AtUHR1–EqualEmployment Opportunity(EEO)Policy(5minutes) Anti-DiscriminationandEqualOpportunity (AUorNZ)(25minutes)
Thesemodulesaredesignedtostrengthen oursharedunderstandingoffairness,respect andinclusionintheworkplace,while supportingourobligationsunderrelevant legislation.
Approximatecompletiontime:30minutes.
Duedate:Friday,29May2026
GenderBasedViolenceTraining AnewGenderBasedViolence–KnowledgeandUnderstandingtrainingmodulewillbe releasedtoallHive&StudentAccommodationteammembersinAustralia(exclRAs) whohavenotpreviouslycompletedtheOurWatch–EducatingforEqualitytraining
ThemodulewillincludeaccesstotheEpigeumtrainingplatformandhasanestimated completiontimeof1hourand30minutes.
Teammemberswillhavethreeweeksfromthedateassignedtocompletethetraining
PleasekeepaneyeonLearningHubforupcomingassignmentsandnotifications.
Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorrequiresupport,pleasecontactlearning@unilodge.com.au.
The2026ResidentSatisfactionSurvey officiallylaunchedon11Mayacross selectedUniLodgeproperties,providing residentswiththeopportunitytoshare valuablefeedbackontheirliving experience.
Participatingteamsareencouragedto continuesupportingthecampaignand drivingstrongresidentengagement acrossthesurveyperiod.
KeyInformation
SurveyOpened:11May2026
SurveyCloses:24May2026
ParticipatingProperties:Selected studentaccommodationproperties
CampaignResourcesAvailable
UpdatedCampaignBrief, downloadableartwork,promotional assetsandQ&Asupportmaterials
HowTeamsCanSupport
Promotethesurveyacrossresident touchpoints
Sharephotosofonsiteactivations andengagementinitiatives
Utilisedownloadablecampaign assetsandpromotionalmaterials
ReachouttotheMarketingteamfor support,guidanceorincentiveideas
TheUniLodgeMarketingteamremains availabletoassistparticipatingproperties withtools,ideasandguidancetohelp maximiseparticipationandensure residentfeedbackcontinuestohelpshape theresidentexperienceacrossUniLodge.
(Note:BTRpropertiessurveyswillbe completedlaterintheyear).
ForanyquestionsabouttheUniLodge ResidentSatisfactionSurveycontact: katestock@unilodgecomau
The2026EmployeeEngagementSurveyiscomingupsoon,andwewouldlove tohearfromyou!
Yourfeedbackisimportantinhelpingusunderstandwhatwearedoingwell,where wecanimprove,andhowwecontinuetostrengthentheemployeeexperience acrossourbusiness.Thissurveyenablesyoutoprovideuswiththefeedbackina confidentialway.
Pleasekeepaneyeoutforfurthercommunicationoverthecomingdays.
KeyInformation
SurveyOpen:25May2026
SurveyClose:7June2026
SurveyProvider:XRef
LookOutFor:
a.AmessagefromthePeopleTeam&Tomas
b.YoursurveyinvitationemailfromXRefon25May2026.
Confidentiality:AllresponsesareconfidentialandmanagedexternallybyXRef.
CIRCLEBACKINITIATIVE We’realsoproudtosharethatUniLodge LivingGrouphasbeenconfirmedasa SilverMemberoftheCircleBackInitiative for2026.
Theinitiativerecognisesemployers committedtorespondingtoevery candidatewhoappliesforarole, reinforcingtheimportanceofrespect, communicationandapositiverecruitment experience.
LearnmoreatTheCircleBackInitiative.
HeadingtoQLDorVICthislong weekend?
AllUniLodgeLivingGroupstaffcan enjoy25%offaccommodationat: EssenceSuitesTaringa,QLD EssenceApartmentsChermside, QLD EssenceHotelCarlton,VIC
Useyourstaffpromocode“insider” andenjoyyourwelldeservedbreak! T&Capply. www.essencehotelsandapartments.com.au
TEMPLE&WEBSTER DISCOUNTCODE Areminderthatwehaveanational partnershipwithTemple&Websterwhich includesanofferthatisavailabletoboth residentsandstaff,providing: $30offwhenspending$300ormore
Promocode:TWBTR2025
Thisisasimplebuteffectiveadditiontoour broadervalueproposition,supporting residentsinsettinguptheirhomeswhile alsoofferingapracticalbenefitforour teams.ForBTRcommunities,thisofferis reflectedintheresidentappsand communicatedaspartofyourcurrent perks
ThankyouagaintotheWentworthteam forpilotingthisinitiativeaheadofthewider rollout.
Offerdetails:
Promocode:TWBTR2025
Offer:$30offona minimumspendof$300 Conditions:Excludes shippingandpurchase protection Singleuseonly Notredeemableforcash Cannotbeusedwith otherpromocode Discountavailableuntil 30June2026
Pleasenote:Thecodemay expireearlierifitisshared externallyorshowssignsof excessiveuse.
Formoreinformation,please reachouttoEmilyOliver.
