South

Western

Regional

Tenants

Association

March-

April

Newsletter

2018

SWRTA has been present

in the social housing

community for over 33

years. SWRTA supports

tenants living in Social

Housing, Community

Housing and Aboriginal

Housing by providing

information, advocacy,

support, projects and

community development

Contact SWRTA

Phone: (02) 9821 1700

Address: 45 Atkinson

Street Liverpool 2170

Email:

swrtainc@bigpond.com

Tenants

Helping

Tenants

Ingleburn Alive When: 3rd March Where: Western end Oxford Road

This annual celebration at Oxford’s Road in Ingleburn’s CBD takes on a street party vibe with

vibrant colours, market stalls, entertainers and spectacular fireworks at 8:30pm. Lots of fun

activities great for the whole family!

What’s going on?

President’s Message: Hi everyone I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year. I

hope you enjoy the information in SWRTA’s new newsletter. This is now available on

our website. We appreciated all the information that is sent from other NGO’s keeping

social housing tenants informed as to what is happening in their areas. I would also

like to thank our new admin who has been responsible for producing and gathering

the information. If you want her to include more information in the Newsletter contact

our admin on (02) 9821 1700.

Pets for Older Persons

Ph: (02) 9782 4408

This service helps individuals

that are 65 or older with their

pets in times of a crisis. It can

arrange temporary boarding for

pets if you need medical

treatment, respite or other

assistance. Also offers veterinary

treatment, help with pet

grooming and basic pet care. Call

if you are need of assistance.

Tech Savvy Seniors

The programs offers low cost or

free training so elderly

individuals can learn to use

computers, tablets and smart

phones. Visit

www.telstra.com.au/tech-savvy-

seniors for more info.

Useful Resources

Campbelltown

Recent Scams to look out for

Most scammers over the phone

will ask you to pay by telling

them the 16 digit code on the

back of the card. Please don’t

give out personal details to the

following scams such as:

Australian Tax Office

accusing you of tax fraud.

Commonwealth DPP

calling about arrest

warrants.

People calling about

binary options trading or

ask to pay things like

taxes, utility bills, hospital

or bail money with an

ITUNES gift card.

Spam mail and phishing

Spam is electronic junk mail-

like an unexpected email, SMS,

test or messaging app

promising money and prizes.

Watch out for scammers

wanting you to send personal

information or pay an upfront

fee before you claim an

inheritance, travel prize,

lottery win, shopping voucher

or compensation money.

$Tips for Saving Money$ Shopping Buy in Bulk: Buying meat or items in bulk if they are on sale can save you money on weekly shopping. If you have large portions of meat cut or marinate at home so it will be less tempting to eat out.

Check the specials among all supermarkets: Before you reach for the brand you always buy check if you can replace it with a cheaper alternative from different supermarkets. Check your receipt: Checking your receipt for errors can save you money.

Buy non-food items at discount store: You can purchase items like paper towels, cleaning products, and garbage bags at discount stores such as The Reject Shop, Big W, and Kmart. Shop at ALDI: Aldi has good quality food at low affordable prices. They sell generic and healthy alternatives of products you usually buy at the fraction of the cost. Plan your meals: Use 1 day each week to plan your meals. Also before you go shopping scan your fridge and cabinets on what you already have. So you only purchase what you’re going to use.

Household Ask for senior discounts from energy supplier: Ask your electricity or gas supplier if you qualify for a senior discount or senior rate. If you live in a deregulated area, some retail energy suppliers offer a special rate for those over 60. Use cold water for laundry: Use cold water to do laundry rather than warm or hot water. Hang up clothes on a clothes line or drying rack rather than use the dryer. Waste less food: Save leftover foods by freezing them until you plan on using them. Up to 30% of what we buy is wasted. Also buying what you need for the week can save you money on daily expenses. Install motion sensor lights: These inexpensive lights come on when you enter a room and automatically turn off when you leave, saving you energy if you forget to turn off the lights. Replace traditional incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient light bulbs: This will help save energy and money on your bills.

Financial Assistance

If you’re having difficulties

paying your bills you can ask

your bank and utility provider

for a hardship arrangement.

You can also receive help or

assistance through:

Financial Counselling

Australia: 1800 007 007

Their services include

directing those in need of

financial support to relevant

support services.

Energy Accounts

Payment Assistance

(EAPA) scheme

This scheme assists families or

individuals struggling to pay

their electricity bills or are

about to have their electricity

disconnected. It offers a $50

voucher from a community

welfare organisation after

adequate assessment of proof

in their circumstances. Eligible

customers can claim up to 12

vouchers ($600) per year.

Workshops and Activities Tech-in-20:

This free event includes one on one support for technology problems and issues. Each

session lasts for about 20 minutes. Bookings are essential. Contact (02) 4645 4055.

When: 2nd March 11am-11:20am Where: HJ Daley Library, Campbelltown

International Women’s Day-Personal Safety

This free hour session for women will provide self-defence tips and awareness on

domestic violence and healthy relationships.

When: 7th March 2018 11am-12pm Where: Greg Percival Library, Ingleburn

International Women’s Day at Tallowood Community Centre

Join this free morning tea with activities to celebrate International Women’s Day.

RSVP with Tanya Eades for catering purposes on (02) 4625 7333.

When: 8th March 10am-12pm Where: Tallowood Community Centre 2 Littimer

Way, Ambarvale 2560

Sustainable Cooking

This is a free workshop that will teach participants how to shop, cook and store food

while saving money and time.

When: Sat 10 March 2018 9:30am-12:00pm Where: Penfold Room Woodstock, 22

Church St, Burwood NSW

Let’s Talk Legal: Wills, Power of Attorney & Enduring Guardianship:

This free program will provide legal advice from professionals at Macarthur Legal

Centre.

When: April 5th 2pm-4pm Where: HJ Daley Library, Campbelltown

Yoga @ Liverpool City Library: If you want to learn yoga postures, meditation and

proper breathing techniques come along to this free event.

More information: http://mylibrary.liverpool.nsw.gov.au

When: 26 April 11am-11:45am Where: Liverpool City Library

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (fan-forced). Line a

shallow roasting pan with baking paper. Add

sweet potato, capsicum and onion to prepared

pan. Drizzle over oil and toss to combine. Roast

for 25 minutes, turning once, or until vegetables

are tender.

2. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a medium

saucepan of boiling water following pack

instructions or until al dente. Drain and return

to pan.

3. Add roasted vegetables, spinach and pesto to

pasta. Toss until well combined and the spinach

have wilted slightly. Divide between shallow

serving bowls. Sprinkle over parmesan and

serve.

Roasted Vegetables Pesto Pasta 300g orange sweet potato, peeled, chopped

1 red capsicum, chopped

1 red onion, cut into thin wedges, 2 tsp.

extra virgin olive oil

40g dried pasta (such as casarecce) or

gluten-free pasta

50g (2 cups) baby spinach leaves

1 Tbsp. Jamie Oliver Italian Herb Pesto or

gluten-free pesto

10g parmesan shavings, to serve

Healthy Recipes

Zucchini and Dill fritters 50g (1/ 4 cup) pearl barley

400g piece Jap pumpkin, peeled, seeded,

cut into wedges

1/ 2 bunch baby beets, washed, trimmed,

left unpeeled, cut into quarters

1 pear, quartered, core removed, cut into

wedges

Olive oil cooking spray, 2 x 60g eggs,

hard-boiled, peeled, halved

50g reduced-fat feta, crumbled, 1 cup

flat-leaf parsley leaves

1. Preheat oven to 210 degrees Celsius

(fan-forced). Line a roasting pan with baking

paper. Cook the barley in a small saucepan of

boiling water for 20-25 minutes or until tender.

Drain and transfer to a medium bowl.

2. Meanwhile, put pumpkin, beets and pear in the

roasting pan. Drizzle with honey and spray with

oil. Roast the veggies for around 20-25 minutes or

until the vegetables are tender.

3. To make the dressing,

whisk all of the ingredients

in a small bowl.

4. Toss barley and dressing

into vegetables. Serve topped

with eggs, feta and parsley.

Fun Facts on Housing in Hong Kong In Hong Kong, the government has adapted a scheme known as Harmonious Families

Priority Scheme (HFPS) for the elderly living in public housing. The aim of this scheme is to:

encourage younger family members to take care of their elderly parents or grandparents

Promote harmony in the family and minimise potential risks for the elderly such as

health issues, domestic injuries or personal safety issues. Eligible families can choose to

live in one flat or two nearby flats according to the preferred district. They also have to

fulfil the general criteria, which includes a limitation on family monthly income laid out

by the Housing Authority and more than half of the family members must have lived in

Hong Kong for 7 years. Those eligible for the HFPS scheme can apply for rent subsidy.

Applicants are required to sign an undertaking at the vetting interview which states that the

younger member would live together with or take care of the elderly parent(s). The tenancy

granted will be terminated if the younger member/s failed to follow the conditions. It would

be beneficial for the Australian government to modify this idea and implement it into

Australian context. Elderly citizens would be cared by families and it will bring family units

together.

Research by Ian Wong (UNSW student)

Benefits of these fruits to your health!

Avocados: this fruit has good fats which control our appetite by releasing hormones in the

intestine that signal fullness. It also has Vitamin K which maintains good bone health.

Pineapples: it has been proven to reduce inflammation in joints and muscles particularly

those associated with arthritis. They contain vitamin C which help reduces illnesses and

boost immune systems so your metabolism is balanced.

Grapefruit: this is very low in calories of 42 calories per 100g. It contains healthy levels of

vitamin A and flavonoids which help protect lung and cavity from cancer.

Statistics on Social

Housing

In 2016, 7.2% of tenures

living in Liverpool city are

in social housing.

In 2016, 9.9% of tenures living in Campbelltown city are renting in social housing.

In 2015-16, 80% of

households who left

public & Aboriginal

housing moved to private

rental market/ownership.

In 2015-16, 31.7% of

young people aged 15-24

were able to move from

specialist homelessness

services into long term

accommodation.

In 2015-16, the median

wait time for approved

housing was 2.7 months

for NSW applicants.

In 2015-16, 16,861

tenants called the FACS

domestic violence line.

This number dropped by

12% from 2014-15.