Issue 26
December 2012
IN THIS ISSUE
-
AGM & End of Year Event
Heatwave
Maintenance
Mulch
Survive the Party Season
What’s On
Training
IYC National Conference
History Project
Best Wishes from the
Office
See you in 2013
NRHC Office Hours 9.30-4.30
Staff Days Greg: Monday to Friday
Carole: Wednesday, Thursday & Friday
Ph. 9482 5998
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
The Office will be open until & including the 24th of December,
reopening on the 2nd of January.
This newsletter is printed on 100% recycled paper
AGM & End of Year Event
The Annual General Meeting of 2012 was held on the 25th of
November at the Leinster Grove Hall. There were eleven co-op
members in attendance, and three children. The business of the
meeting was completed before long, with the nominees for the
Board of Directors elected uncontested. Melanie Starr accepted
the nomination to be Chairperson for one more year, reminding
us that next year she will not want the position.
Tina Robinson stepped down from the Board of Directors
after serving there for nearly 3 years. Thank you, Tina, for
your dedication to the Board and NRHC. Your work for
the co-op is greatly appreciated.
The EVENT side of the day included a delicious lunch
provided by Café Koula. Green Games were brought in by
Katherine of the Green Renters, so some of us tried games
of ‘Rentopoly’ and ‘Sneaks & Ladders’. Surprisingly it was
the making of buttons with retro style images provided by
Katherine that really caught everyone’s imagination! Many
of us left with many new jewels.
2
http://www.abc.net.au/news/emergency/plan-for-an-emergency/heatwave/#survival
Ideally, prepare your kit with all the following items and keep it in an easily
accessible location. Make a note of the location of any item not in your kit.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Battery-operated radio (with spare batteries)
Torch (with spare batteries)
Strong shoes, gumboots, leather gloves and overalls
First aid kit and medications you need
A change of clothes, toiletry and sanitary supplies
Special needs for infants, the aged and people with disabilities
Water in sealed containers - ten litres per person (for three days)
Three days supply of canned food (plus can opener and utensils)
Pet food, water and other animal needs
Some house repair items such as timber strips, hammers and nails for
temporary repairs
Tent or tarpaulin, pillows and blankets (woollen and thermal)
Mobile phone and charger
Strong plastic bags (for clothing, valuables, documents, and photos)
Spare car and house keys
The State Emergency Service is the lead agency during a heatwave, usually
working with other State Government departments including, health,
community services and transport.
Your local doctor, hospital or health professional is a source of advice if in
doubt. All life-threatening situations should be reported by calling 000.
Adequate preparation is essential for heatwave, especially for people who are at high
risk, especially elderly people, babies and young children and people with health and
mobility problems.
•
•
Stay hydrated - it's recommended that you drink two to three litres
of water, even you don't feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine
Dress light - avoid dressing in heavy clothing to allow your body to
maintain a normal temperature. Light coloured clothing reflects heat
and sunlight
3
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Check on your family and friends - at least twice a day, check on the welfare of
people who are at risk such as the sick and elderly. Keep a close eye on young
children
Take shelter - avoid extended exposure to the sun and if you need to be out in
the conditions wear a shirt, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Sunburn will affect
your body's ability to cope with the heat
Get your home ready - draw your curtains, blinds and awnings at the start of
the day to keep as much sun out of your home
Seek air-conditioning - if you don't have air conditioning at home then arrange
to spend the day in a shopping centre, library or other public place. If you have
an air conditioner at home, make sure it's serviced. Fans can also help provide
relief
Look after your pets - ensure your pets have plenty of shade and
cool water to last the entire day and regularly check on them.
Look for symptoms of heat stress in your family, friends and neighbours
Phone for assistance immediately if you show any symptoms of heat stress
including extremely heavy sweating, headache and vomiting, confusion,
swollen tongue
Regularly check on family and friends, particularly those at risk, arrange a set
time twice a day when you're going to make contact
Stay hydrated - keep drinking water, even if you don't feel thirsty
Stay cool - dress in light clothing and seek air-conditioning. If you don't have
air-conditioning at home, visit a public place such as a shopping
centre or art gallery
Avoid the sun - if you're physically active, avoid being
out in the sun for extended periods and if you have to be
wear sunscreen, a shirt, hat and sunglasses
•
Don't leave children or pets in parked vehicles
for any period of time
•
Continue to check on family and friends, particularly those people at risk
Keep drinking water regularly, even if you don't feel thirsty
Be careful for falling tree limbs - this is often a hazard during periods of
extended high temperatures.
•
•
4
With the Christmas season here, some of our trades’ people will be taking some
holiday time too.
Incito Maintenance is the group that do a large amount of our
maintenance work. They will be closed over Christmas, and will re-open on
the 2nd of January. As this is the group that does our Guttering & Gardening Program,
they will not be getting done until into January now.
GBE Electrical will be closed over Christmas. They will
reopen on the 2nd of January as well.
OMNI Trades Services is our 24 Hour EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE trades services company. If you have any
Emergency Maintenance over the Christmas Holiday period, please call OMNI to
come to your property. Remember – Do Not pay for the works yourself as it is policy
not to reimburse members for works they have done. OMNI is aware of our
arrangement with them to invoice the office directly for work they do. They also have
a list of NRHC properties. Phone: 1300 724 664
Peter Sampsonidis is still our Emergency Maintenance
Handy Man and can be called for all other Emergency Maintenance
over the break. Phone: 0401 448 420
5
Posted by Frances Saunders September 4th, 2008 in:
(Go to http://www.sgaonline.org.au/?page_id=1032 to subscribe to their Newsletter)
http://www.sgaonline.org.au/?p=6703
Take these few steps before laying your mulch down to ensure success.
1. Remove or poison weeds (then wait for a fortnight after using poison)
2. Moisten the soil thoroughly. Ensure that the water you apply is penetrating .
3. If the water is running off the surface, fork through some compost to aid with the
water retention.
4. If you are planting into the soil, add some water saving crystals into the planting hole.
5. If you are using bark-based mulches, you might consider sprinkling some blood and
bone over the soil. This extra nitrogen will compensate for any nitrogen being taken up
by the gradual decomposition of the mulch.
6. Lay your mulch thickly (7-8cm deep),
keeping the area directly around plants free of
mulch.
7. Lastly sprinkle soil wetting agents over the
surface. This will ensure that any watering
doesn’t run off the surface of the mulch.
Following these steps will mean you have
mulched well.
Over time organic mulches break down, contributing beneficially to soil structure. Fine
mulches will break down quicker than more coarse materials and so will need topping up
more often. A yearly top up is usually enough.
The length of time that it takes for a mulch to break down determines how rapidly the
plants will be able to access the nutrients in the mulch. Some mulches as they break
down may actually take nutrients away from the soil, this effect is only shot-term but in
these instances it may be necessary to add manure or blood and bone prior to mulching.
6
Article taken from:
http://www.abc.net.au/health/features/stories/2012/12/11/3649189.htm?WT.svl=healthscience0#.UNEu3ayWJFt
Survive the party season
by Cathy Johnson
End of year festivities can tempt us in ways that mess with our
health. But there are ways you can minimise the damage.
Keep your stomach happy
There's only one thing worse than a bad hangover after a party and
that's a bad hangover with food poisoning thrown in. Some party
foods are especially risky once they've been out of the fridge a few hours – these
include soft cheeses (hard cheeses are less risky), meat, poultry, dairy products, eggs,
smallgoods such as salami and ham, seafood, cooked rice, cooked pasta and prepared
salads such as coleslaw, pasta salads, and rice salads.
The "two-four-out" rule is a good rule of thumb for any of these high-risk foods that
have been left out in temperatures between five and 60 degrees Celcius:
•
•
•
Two: if the food has been out less than two hours, it can be put in the fridge
and used within two to three days
Four: If it's been out two to four hours, eat it straight away or toss it.
Out: If it's been out more than four hours, don't let it near your lips. Just toss it!
Happy partying...
7
For a greater list of Christmas Lights Addresses go to:
http://www.christmaslightsmelbourne.com.au/christmas-lights-melbourne-north.php
Christmas Lights Address List
Northcote - Bent Street, | 8.30pm-11pm
Northcote - 48 Thomson St | 8 - 11pm
Preston - 10 Gower Street | 8 - 11pm
Preston - Cumberland Court | 8 - 11pm
Preston - 47 Gordon Grove | 8:45pm - 11pm
Preston - Unit 2, 6 Oak Street | dark till 1am
Fairfield - 38-42a Thomson St | Dusk - 11pm
Thornbury - Clarendon Street | Dusk - 11pm
Northcote - 5 Sharp St | Dusk - 11pm
Northcote - 91 Jenkins Street | Dusk - 11pm
Thornbury - Wilmoth St and Darebin Road | Dusk - 11pm
Fairfield - 143 Gillies Street | 8.30pm - 11.30pm
Northcote - 110 Victoria Road | 8.30pm - 1:00am
Brunswick East - 28-30 Gale Street | 9pm - 12.30am
Thornbury - Corner Mansfield St and Victoria Rd | 9pm-late
Santa's Ute on Victoria Road,
Northcote. Photo: Rebecca Hallas
http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-news/theute-that-jumpstarted-christmas-201212172bji8.html
Artplay
Artplay is a civic space where children and families
can get creative and express themselves with a
vibrant programme of arty workshops.
Birarrung Marr, Melbourne
Address: Behind Federation Square at Birarrung Marr Melbourne 3000
Transport: Nearby Stations: Flinders St Telephone 03 9664 7900
Open Wed-Fri 10am-2pm; Sat-Sun 12 noon-4pm
8
Madagascar Interactive Circus Show
http://www.au.timeout.com/melbourne/kids/events/5635/madagascar-interactive-circus-show
Join the Madagascar crew for an interactive and
exciting circus show to celebrate the release of
Madagascar 3 to DVD and Blue-Ray at the
Aquarium these holidays. All of the film’s stars
will be there including Alex the Lion and
Kowalski and Rico the Penguins along with a host
of circus performers who will be giving lessons on how to juggle and spin
plates as well as face painting, balloon twisting and more. And, to make the
day family and wallet friendly, there will be a two for one offer on Aquarium
tickets as well as free rainbow wigs for every kid!
Address: Melboourne Aquarium, Cnr King & Flinders St, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9923 5999 Date: Wed 09 Jan 2013 Open: 9.30am-6pm
Holiday Programs
Are you aged between 5 -12 years of age and looking for something to do
during your school holidays?
Darebin Libraries offers programs at all libraries during each term break.
Activities include Sponge Club events, children’s theatre, author talks,
workshops, storytelling, and competitions.
Check out the Events Calendar in What's on for more details.
http://www.darebin-libraries.vic.gov.au/Calendar.aspx?ID=142
____________________________________________________________________
Bundoora Homestead Art Centre
tel (03) 9496 1060
7-27 Snake Gully Drive, Bundoora
Wednesday - Friday 11am-4pm
Saturday - Sunday 12noon-5pm
free admission
John Borrack: Selected Paintings & Drawings 1970 – 2012
December 7, 2012 - February 10, 2013
Shifting Landscapes: John Sheehan 1991-2012
January 23, 2013 - February 10, 2013
9
Go to http://www.twnh.vic.edu.au/twnh/ for more details
Broadband for Seniors
Are you an older Australian who would like to
learn how to use computers and the Internet?
Would you like to be able to keep in touch with
family and friends by Email?
TWNH is offering FREE personalised training
to seniors to allow them to become familiar with
the Internet.
TWNH is a Broadband for Seniors Kiosk that
provides FREE access to computers and
broadband services for seniors.
If you, or a family member are interested please
contact us on 9480 0466.
Learn pottery & mosaic
skills over the holidays
TWNH offers the
following training
qualifications:
•
•
Training and
Assessment
(TAE40110)
Children's
Services
(CHC30708)
Dance & Movement/
Moving Stars
Growing fruit &
vegetables
Kangaroo & Joey Arts
Group
Knitting & Crochet
Kundalini Yoga
Make Craft your
Business
Patchwork & Beyond
Social Lawn Bowls
Urban Ranch Hands
Singing Group
10
By Carole Gray
In October this year, Greg and I were privileged
enough to be able to attend the International
Year of the Co-operative 2012 National
Conference that was held in Port Maquarie,
NSW. There were so many inspiring speakers,
on both days it was impossible to attend
everything that I wanted to see & hear. More
than once it was standing room only – even the
organisers were surprised by the turn out and enthusiasm shown. Two of the speakers that I
found particularly interesting were:
Mikel Lezamiz
Director of Cooperative Dissemination is responsible for external
education programs for Mondragón Cooperative Corporation (MCC),
for which he is also head of the Sociology Department, since 1990. He
started as a member-worker in the ALECOP students’ cooperative in
Mondragón from 1973 to 1975, and after worked as an educator, trainer
and organisational leader in Mondragon including holding senior
positions on the governing boards within Mondragon’s education system. Mikel is the
author of three books on Mondragon and has traveled all over the world to help people learn
about Mondragon.
Dr Race Mathews
Co-operative historian and author
Race Mathews is a former academic, federal MP,
state MP and minister, municipal councillor and
chief of staff to Opposition leaders in the Victorian
and federal parliaments. He has written and spoken
extensively about co-operatives and other mutuals,
and his 1999 Mondragon book ‘Jobs of Our Own: Building a Stateholder
Society’, has recently been re-issued in a new US edition. He was a
member of the Victorian Ministerial Advisory on Co-operation and a
board member and chairman of the Waverley Credit Union Co-operative.
The co-op has purchased a copy of Race Mathews book, ‘Jobs of Our
Own: Building Stakeholder Society’ and is available for loan to
interested members to read.
When you borrow books, please remember to return them to the office.
The following link will take you to podcasts
of the conference. I highly recommend you
check them out. It was really a very inspiring
conference, and rekindled my love of cooperatives.
http://iycconference.com.au/node/90
11
Make 2013 a year you decide to get reinvolved with your co-op. You can call Robyn
on 0416 816 906 to set a time and date to do an interview with her about your time in
the NRHC.
Kristin Godby: interviewed by Robyn Hosking 18th October 2012
I joined NRHC at the beginning of 2001. I’d first found out about rental
housing co-ops a few years prior through one of the mums at my daughter’s
school in Clifton Hill. I was living in public housing after having been on the
waiting list for fourteen years. My daughter and I were living in the walk-up
apartments in Collingwood. I was studying to be a social worker so it was an
interesting environment but not a healthy one with drugs, noise, violence and
police often present and once, when walking up to Smith St, we saw a dead
body. My daughter wanted out of it.
We moved to Thornbury with my partner but that only lasted two years. When our relationship
ended I only had two months to move out. One of the school mums told me about a house that
needed looking after so we became house-sitters in Clifton Hill for three months, which was perfect
timing as it allowed me some breathing space.
Another mum then let me know about an ad for a co-op house in the local paper. I attended an
NRHC info session along with a few other interested people which was held at Northcote Library. I
remember Laurie, June and Greg from that session and I really liked what they said; everyone
seemed switched on and friendly. At uni I was a student union rep and student union council
chairperson and was on a range of committees so was very passionate about working collectively
which really fit the co-op role.
On joining the co-op I was housed straight away in the Fyffe St unit as there was then no system of
having unhoused members. We held a big co-op working bee when we moved into the unit to
repaint it. The working bee was held in 42˚ heat over three days during an incredibly hot summer.
It was a good way to get to know other members, and is one of my happiest memories of being in
the co-op.
The timing of being accepted by the co-op was a miracle, it all fell into place. I was extremely
grateful to be housed and still consider myself to be lucky, particularly as the housing situation has
got worse and worse.
When I joined I attended a co-op meeting once a month. We had a theoretical board but it wasn’t a
structured one and meetings where we’d decide on everything could go on for hours. Greg provided
fantastic support, informing and empowering us. I became a Director and joined several subcommittees including Maintenance, and Workers’ Liaison where we supervised and supported staff
with ongoing development.
The Office of Housing then pressured the co-op to have a more active board and so the one big
monthly meeting was separated into general members’ meetings and directors’ meetings. We had
guidelines to adhere to and had to restructure to become more professional, outsourcing assistance
from other co-ops such as Carlton as well as from Greg and our own skills. I was a social worker
while another director was a community development worker and another worked in the public
service so we didn’t have to “reinvent the wheel” when it came to policy development.
12
After being an active member and director and attending weekly restructure meetings, I then took a
two year break after experiencing conflict with a staff member who was completely inappropriately
trying to influence directors’ decisions and disempower us. I stepped back for a time and only
attended general meetings.
My experience with this staff member gave me insight into why some of the older members of the
co-op had ceased active involvement in the co-op because of similar experiences. It was a learning
experience and we now have a Conflict of Interest policy so good things did come out of it. After
this person left, I eventually returned as a sub-committee member, helping to formulate guidelines
and policies, including a membership one.
Working with other co-op members, a diverse group of people from a range of backgrounds,
education and experiences, has been an interesting challenge and has helped round my skills and
knowledge gained from social work studies. I am still all for working collaboratively while also
learning about my boundaries. I don’t want to live in a society which is individualistic as it’s not
healthy. I believe in an equal, egalitarian society. I am still here and love it (in a co-op house now,
having moved from the unit), and am bloody grateful that I’m still a part of it all.
With social housing undergoing current changes, I’m really pleased that I’ve contributed to the coop being so strong, that, supported by our relationship with Common Equity Housing Ltd, we’re in
good standing and have proactively planned for our future.
When I first joined the co-op one of my primary concerns was socialisation opportunities for my
daughter. Now that we’re both older I no longer feel the need to attend co-op social activities but
still attend meetings and have recently nominated to become a Director again.
Great memories of the co-op include painting the unit with everyone helping and getting to make
decisions for the first time in my life about the house I was living in. Some of the meetings I
attended were great and others painful but I always returned home exhilarated and stimulated.
Being a co-op member has empowered me and made me part of something. Where once I felt like a
charity case in an affluent, middle-class home-owning society, as a co-op member with stable and
secure housing I now feel equal.
Kristin’s lovely garden
at her co-op house
13
Season’s Greetings to all of the NRHC membership, and
Thank for such a dynamic year! It has been a real pleasure to
work with all of you, for the greater good of Northcote Rental
Housing Co-operative.
Take care over the summer months, and we will see you all
again in the New Year.
Kind regards & warm wishes,
Greg & Carole
14