ACCESS COMMUNITY HOUSING TENANT NEWSLETTER December 2013 Wishing all of our Tenants and Families a very Merry Xmas and Happy New Year from Access Staff

Back Row: Dragan, Cheryl, Nicole, Yasminn, Wendy, Marg & Kylie Front Row: Jo, Ros, Jill, Phyllis, Litsa, Judy & Mike (Jaymee absent)

Office Hours for Xmas and Going away for Xmas? Don’t make it obvious—Keep your yard tidy, have your mail New Year collected. Rent Monday, December 23rd 9.00am- 4.30pm At Christmas time, don't leave yourself short. Tuesday, December 24th 9.00am –12.30pm Have your rent paid up to date. Wednesday, December 25th Closed Thursday, December 26th Closed Friday, December 27th Closed Monday, December 30th Closed REMEMBER

Tuesday, December 31st Closed For those who are 2 weeks in Wednesday, January 01st 2014 Closed advance with their rent, the draw for the XMAS hampers will Thursday, January 02nd 2014 9.00am- 4.30pm be on the 16th December. Friday, January 03rd 2014 9.00am- 4.30pm

Emergency Repair Contacts

If you have an emergency and require a contractor over the Festive Season please refer to your Tenancy Agreement for any contact details but please use your common sense and ONLY use if you have a problem that is dangerous, a threat to your health or may cause substantial property damage.

Needing to buy household goods ? Do not want to pay high interest? You can apply for a No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS)

What is NILS The No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) provides interest free loans for individuals or families on low income. It’s a community-based program that enables people to access fair, safe and equitable credit for the purchase of goods and services. How does it work? When a borrower makes a repayment to a NILS program, funds are then available as a loan for someone else in the community. This is called ‘circular community credit’ and is a real demonstration of the community action. What are the loans for? Generally for the purchase of essential household items such as washing machines, fridges, vacuum cleaners, televisions etc. NILS may also be provided to meet other essential needs like health aids or education costs.

NILS at the following agencies: SHAC Ph: 4080 7400 Mon - Fri 9.00am to 4.30pm Staff will talk you through it St Vincent de Paul Society, Cairns Ph: 4038 8333 Mon – Fri 9.00am to 12.00pm Pt Douglas Neighbourhood Centre Mowbray St, Pt Douglas - Friday Only 9.00am to 4.00pm(ask for Megan) Ph: 4099 5518

A Cool Xmas Dessert!!! Corny Christmas Cracker Jokes!!! Quick, Tasty, Easy and Healthy!! Q:What are the wettest animals in the world? Xmas Fruit salad A: Reindeer ½ pineapple Q:What do you call a little lobster who won’t share 1 ripe mango 1 paw paw his Christmas presents? 2 bananas A: Shell-fish Any other fruit you like!!!! Method Q:What is Santa’s favourite pizza?

Cut the fruit into chunks and place the paw paw, mangoes, and pineapple in a A: One that’s deep pan, crisp and even. large bowl and add the juice from the pineapple. Put bananas in last. Cover and Q:What kind of paper likes music? refrigerate until chilled. A:(W)rapping paper. 3 Ingredient Fruit Cake Recipe Ingredients

Preparation Method Prep: 8 hours I Cook: 2 hours I Extra time: 1 day 14 hours

1. Soak the mixed fruit in the chocolate milk overnight in the fridge.

2. Preheat oven to 150 degrees C. Line the bottom and sides of 25cm square Shopping Tip: Rusty’s Markets sell truck tin with either baking paper/alfoil, with the lining coming over the sides loads of fruit and vegies normally cheaper by about 5cm. Spray the paper/alfoil with some cooking spray. than supermarkets (entrance on Sheridan 3. Sift flour into the soaked fruit one cup at a time and mix in well after each St). addition. Pour the mixture into tin. Cook for 1½ - 2 hours. Insert a skewer Rusty’s Christmas Opening Hours after 1½ hours, test if centre of the cake is cooked. Fri 20th Dec - Tue 24th Dec 4. Leave cake in tin until cooled and then put onto wire rack to fully cool. 5.00am to 6.00pm Wednesday 25th - Closed ENJOY

Tenants’ Gardens

Many Access tenants have created beautiful gardens from nothing much before , including house , balcony, unit or communal gardens. Here’s only a few and what tenants had to say about their gardens……..

“Before, all the plants had died– got washed out. It’s all come from cuttings or grown from seed. 3 or 4 of us residents all pitched in for an hour a day (over 2 years ago). Someone had Tenant from Mooroobool: a shovel, someone had a rake. Did the drainage with help from “I like to grow cassava, bananas and tomatoes. I love my Access. garden” So now, the plants do not get washed out, they bring the birds around, makes it cooler, and for the ground floor provides privacy. We’ve also got chillies and passion fruit growing for other residents”

If you have a garden that you have created whether it is in a complex, house or balcony, let us know. Tell your Housing Manager or call Ros (Tenant Engagement Officer) on 4031 6702 and we’ll put it in our newsletter

Maree from Trinity Park who lives in a duplex: Xmas pressie for your garden !! “Before I moved here over 2 years Free Mulch Giveaway ago, there were only 2 trees. I love December 13th to 16th my plants, they keep me busy, look Where & When: nice like the ‘jungle’ I love the birds  Portsmith Transfer Station coming around.” (open 7 days 8.30 am – 5.15pm)  Smithfield Transfer Station (open Mon – Sat 7am – 5.15pm, Sun 9am – 5.15 pm)  Gordonvale Transfer Station (open 7 days 8.30 am - 5.15pm)  Killaloe Transfer Station (open Mon – Sat 8am - 5.15 pm, Sun 9am - 5.15pm)  Newell Beach Transfer Station “There was nothing (open Mon & Fri 7am - 11.45am, Wed 12pm - 5.45pm, here. Gardening has giv- Sat 7am - 5.45pm) en me something to do.  Babinda Transfer Station (open 7 days 8.30am – 4.30pm) It gives me peace.’

For more information please visit Cairns Regional Council website—Events Calender

Repairs and maintenance reminder - Who’s responsible for what?

Some tenants think that Access will pay for all damage to their homes. This is not so. Under the Residential Tenancies, Rooming and Accommodation Act, both Access Housing and tenants have shared responsibilities for keeping your home in the same condition as when you moved in. Access Housing Responsibilities  Maintaining your home in a good state of repairs and fit for the tenant/resident to live in.  Arranging for repairs to be carried out in a reasonable time. Tenants  Looking after the property and keeping it clean and undamaged.  Telling Access as soon as possible if repairs are needed.  Paying for repairs if damage is caused by the tenant/resident or guest.

Avoid Scams at Xmas The holiday season is a time when people may want FEEDBACK from our Tenants Survey to buy presents and items for their homes. This is also the time when pushy sales people and scammers are about……. Be cautious with; Many tenants said they value communication Door-to-door sales - You do not have to let them in, and they must leave if you from Access staff. This ranges from face to face ask them to. communication through to being notified quick- Hoax emails (phishing) and texts (smishing) Often look like they´ve come from ly either by telephone or by letter of issues such a legitimate bank or government agency and ask you to provide your personal de- as early identification of rent arrears; updates tails or click through to a website. on repairs, and issues/changes they need to be aware of. Mobile phone plans Penalties can apply if you change plans before the contract expires and some contracts last up to 3 years. Access staff will continue to improve on these Lottery scams A letter, email or SMS out of the blue claiming you have won a services. lottery which you never entered. TENANTS Q and A Have you any questions about your tenancy? Contact Us Send them in to us or call. We will print them in Give us a call at the office the newsletter and do our best to answer them. Tel: 4031 6702 Fax: 4051 0743

Access Community Housing Company Ltd. 31 Hannam Street Westcourt 4870 What’s on Tenants’ Advisory Group Carols by Candlelight—11th December Postal Address: update PO Box 7381 Ravizza Park, Edmonton 15 tenants attended an Cairns 4870 Free kids activities from 5.00 pm—Stage show from 6.30pm information session on the

7th November to hear Send emails to: Christmas Carol Concert in The Northern Beaches about setting up a Tenant [email protected] Saturday 14th December Advisory Group (TAG) - a group that will provide Visit us on the web at www.achc.org.au The Beach Shack, Kewarra Beach Resort input to board and 80 Kewarra St, Kewarra Beach management of Access. Office open hours: All Ages/Family’s - Starts from 4.00pm Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri 9:00am– 4:30pm If you are interested in be- Tues 9:00am—12:30pm Cost - Free ing involved or want to know more about it, please Free Daintree Ferry—till 28 Feb 2014 ring Ros (Tenant Engage- Access Community Housing Company Ltd ment Officer) on Residents of Cairns, Cassowary Coast and Tablelands Regional Send us a comment 4031 6702. Council are eligible for free use of the Daintree ferry, application form at www.cairns.qld.gov.au

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