Getting Involved
At SGCH we value input and feedback from our tenants. We see this as a way to ensure the services we provide to our tenants are meeting their needs. As a way to give our tenant a voice, SGCH runs a Tenant Advisory Group (TAG).
The TAG meets every two months to discuss issues affecting our tenants and ways to improve the services SGCH provides. Also at the TAG meetings members discuss what projects SGCH tenants are interested in and how the current projects are going.
The TAG as taken advantage of the training programs organized to train participants in the basic functions on how to establish a committee and how to run a meeting. The TAG has been successfully running regular meetings at the Riverwood Community Centre to discuss ways to achieve better outcomes for SGCH tenants.
Chinese TAG
The first meeting was held on 18 June 08 with over 60 tenants attending froma wide range of local government areas. The Australian Chinese Community Association (ACCA) chaired the meeting. The tenants identified areas where SGCH could improve our service and made suggestions about guest speakers and information that would be of assistance to our Chinese tenants.
The Chinese TAG meeting will held quarterly and a nominate representatives to attend TAG meetings and exchange minutes.
We would like welcome new tenants and encourage anyone interested to become involved. If you would like more information, please contact Rowa Omair Community Development Office on 02 9585 1499 or click here to download a membership form.
Tenants Letter of Appreciation — Education Bursary 2008
Letter 1
“On 31 March 2008 SGCH held a ceremony to celebrate the education of the children of their tenants. I was fortunate enough to be invited.
Nazha Saad, CEO, opened the ceremony welcoming all and explaining that in 2005 (the 20 year anniversary of SGCH) the Board came up with the idea of giving bursaries to promising children of their tenants to help try to make all education expenses a little more affordable. Since then they have given away 76 bursary cheques at a total value of $54,400. Nazha also explained this scheme is the first of its kind in the public housing industry.
This year 50 applications were sent in and the Board made a decision that 24 were deserving applicants.
Next on the agenda was Les Saxby who is an Aboriginal entertainer who played ‘welcome to our country’ on the didgeridoo. He then entertained both children and adults alike with ‘what`s that sound’ on his didgeridoo. We all had a great laugh together.
Minister Burney, who is the Minister for Fair Trading, Youth and Volunteering, was the guest of honour. She not only handed out the bursaries and certificates she also stayed for the whole ceremony and made the children feel very at ease which was very special.
Two of the 2007 recipients who happened to be brother and sister spoke of how the bursary had helped them not only with text books, but also with daily expenses and how grateful they were to be chosen. I was particularly proud of the two speakers as they were my children. We also heard from a year seven girl, Denise Jin on how excited she was to be chosen.
After a wonderfully special and entertaining morning we were treated to a great lunch where students, parents and staff chatted and enjoyed each others company. A splendid day was had by all!!
As a single parent I know how difficult it is to afford a good education for my children. The St George Community Housing Bursary Scheme selected my children as well as many others to receive a bursary; it has helped make the load a little lighter indeed.
I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of all the parents and student recipients to thank the Board & Staff of St George Community Housing for giving our kids this opportunity.”
A grateful mother.
Letter 2
“Dear St George Community Housing, A big ‘THANK YOU’ to St George Community Housing and the Bursary scheme for presenting my daughter with the bursary award
I just want to tell you how grateful we are for being given this opportunity. We have never received any financial assistance for my daughters education, not even from her father; every bit of financial assistance goes a long way.
My daughter takes her studies very seriously and definitely wants to achieve her goals, and I know it often upsets her that I bear the financial burden in our family alone.
The presentation was very well planned and we enjoyed the bonus Aboriginal education experience. Most especially I would like to thank you all for making us feel so welcome and also a part of the community and not someone that a favour was being done for.”
“Thank you”
Kim