Summer 2023
In this issue:
Tips for caring for home and yourself P3 Resident Profile: Dylan Cotton (cover) P4 Dental Clinic update P7
Find us online www.housingchoices.org.au
facebook.com/HChoicesSA
From the General Manager
Welcome to the Summer edition of Home Stories ! Despite the cold and windy start to the season, the sun did come out and we have been enjoying that lovely warm weather Adelaide is known for. In this edition, we share with you some handy information on maintenance requests and helpful tips on keeping your property in great shape. We also introduce you to Alex, one of our fantastic staff members who assists with maintenance queries. It’s always great to put a face to a name and hear what our staff love about their roles here at Housing Choices SA. We say thank you and farewell to the wonderful Margie Steffens OAM, who has been a key part of the Lights Square Common Ground Dental Clinic’s success over the past 11 years. We are delighted to welcome Dr Harry Perkins to the clinic, who will continue the clinic’s mission to provide accessible dental services for our residents and others in our community who cannot access mainstream dental care. After years of postponed events due to COVID, it was fantastic to see a December calendar packed with all kinds of activities. Building connections at this time of year is always important, with Christmas a time of mixed emotions for many. The Common Room at
Light Square and Mellor St Community Space were buzzing with Christmas sewing, crafting, singing, cooking and baking. While the gingerbread cookies and handmade Christmas decorations were a success in themselves, what we loved most about running these activities was watching the conversations and sharing that happens
positive about how having a safe, quality place to call home in the city, close to everything he loves, has allowed him to thrive. My favourite comment Dylan shared with us is simply “Life’s good!” Dylan has been building an impressive social media following with his Instagram photography account @dylancottonphotos and I’d encourage you to have a look. We’ve also included a couple of his images within this issue. Finally, we have included a couple of cost-effective recipes perfect for the warm weather, and a gallery of happy faces from our resident Christmas parties.
between residents. Dotted throughout December were the
resident Christmas parties – four festive events that brought together residents across Adelaide to share delicious food and enjoy good company. Sometimes, these events are the only opportunity our residents may have to celebrate Christmas, and that is one of the reasons we love holding them. We have received plenty of emails and texts from our residents in the past month, telling us how much they enjoyed the chance to get together and how the special touches – such as raffles and gifts – were so very appreciated. Thank you so much for the positive feedback! Speaking of positive, we also caught up with one of our Housing Choices SA residents, talented photographer Dylan Cotton. Dylan couldn’t be more
Enjoy the sunshine! Stay safe and well,
Julie Duncan General Manager, Housing Choices South Australia
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Tips for caring for your home and yourself from our Property Team!
Caring for your balcony In the interest of your safety please remember to keep your balcony tidy, and free of clutter and materials that might be dangerous, including gas cylinders and BBQs. Please ensure that water does not pool on your balcony by using saucers underneath any pot plants and be careful with your watering. Please do not use carpets, fake grass, or mats on your balcony, as these can hold water and cause deterioration and mould on your balcony. If you notice water is pooling or not running off your balcony properly, please contact us on 1300 153 850 .
After hours maintenance
Examples of urgent maintenance that can be actioned outside of business hours: • a burst water service • a blocked or broken toilet system when there are no other toilets in your home • a serious roof leak • a gas leak • a dangerous electrical fault • flooding or serious flood damage • serious storm or fire damage • a failure or breakdown of any essential service or appliance for hot water, water, cooking, heating or doing laundry • the failure or breakdown of the gas, electricity, or water supply • any fault or damage in the premises that makes the premises unsafe or not secure • an appliance, fitting or fixture that is not working properly and causes a substantial amount of water to be wasted • a serious fault in a lift or staircase.
Housing Choices South Australia has a dedicated Customer Services Team to receive and respond to repair requests. We work closely with a panel of contractors to co-ordinate maintenance and repairs. During business hours (9am-5pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays) please call our maintenance hotline on 1300 153 850 or email infosa@hcau.org.au . After hours, and on public holidays, this number is diverted to the after hours contractor. Please do not contact the maintenance line outside of business hours if it is not an emergency. A contractor answers out of hours calls but will not action any maintenance works unless they are urgent. For non-urgent maintenance requests, please wait until the next business day to call us or email infosa@hcau.org.au at any time.
Portable gas appliances Please do not use any portable gas cylinder or butane gas powered appliances inside your homes. These are designed for outdoor use only and if used indoors, can result in serious illness or death due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
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Resident Profile: Dylan Cotton
Housing Choices South Australia resident Dylan Cotton has many hobbies, but it’s his passion and talent for landscape photography that has landed him some high- profile social media fans. “I’ve got Premier Peter Malinauskas, South Aussie with Cosi and even ABC Adelaide following my photography on Instagram, and my photos have been featured on the news,” Dylan said. Not only does Dylan have over 13.5 thousand followers, but he also sells framed photos through his
as a drone for capturing incredible aerial beach photos along the Adelaide coastline. He captures stunning sunsets shots of Adelaide Oval, low angle shots of CBD buildings and has a real eye for reflection photography. Living with Autism and a range of health issues makes daily life challenging for Dylan; however, having an apartment of his own, nestled in the city, makes life that bit easier. “One day I’ll be ok, and the next I’ll have a real bad day. But you wake up and thank Jehovah/God that you have this place to live.” Not only does the city have the access to support Dylan needs, but it also has what he needs to thrive. “In the city you can get anywhere. It’s amazing. I used to have to catch a
5am train to get where I needed to go, and now I can walk everywhere. Walk to work, the Royal Adelaide Hospital gym, I walk to friends’ houses. I used to walk to play competitive soccer. I sometimes walk 20,000 steps in a day and it’s so good for my mental health,” Dylan explained. Before finding accommodation in the Adelaide CBD with Housing Choices SA, Dylan didn’t have a safe place to call home. Finding a place where he felt secure and can access what’s important to him has been life changing. “Before moving into my apartment, I was living in a shared apartment on the bottom floor where there were regular burglaries. I had also lived in a horrible hostel, and then I moved interstate.”
Instagram account. “I’m a professional
photographer, and I’ve won awards for my work. I’ve also sold my framed prints too.” Dylan uses a Canon 90D and Canon 200D to take most of his photos, as well
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Lost your keys or locked yourself out?
Do you know what to do if you’ve lost your keys or have locked yourself out of your home after business hours? Don’t panic! There are plenty of options to help you through what can be a stressful situation. A friendly reminder that while keys are residents’ responsibilities, and we don’t open properties after business hours, we are still here to help. If you do find yourself locked out of your home after hours (between the hours of 5pm and 9am) or on weekends, these are the things you could do: • call a locksmith. This will be at your own cost and expense and if you do call a locksmith, please remember to supply a copy of the freshly cut key to Housing Choices SA • find alternative accommodation for the night (again, this would have to be at your own expense) • wait until the next business day and then contact Housing Choices SA who will arrange for an accredited locksmith or give you a spare key to enter (if one is available). There is a charge associated with replacing lost or misplaced keys OR • If you reside in one of our apartments, you can contact Southern Cross Security direct , or the After Hours Contractor . Security will give access during their rounds. Please remember to not cause any damage to the premises from attempts to enter the building, and/or duplication of keys will be at the residents’ own expense. There are also no alterations to the locks permitted during this time.
“When I had the chance to move into a Housing Choices SA apartment, I was a bit worried, until I saw the apartment.” One of the things Dylan loves most about living in a Housing Choices SA apartment is how safe he now feels. “The unit is incredible. It’s new and spacious but what’s best is that no one can get to me. Unless you’re a resident you can’t access the building, so I feel safe.” Dylan is the first to admit that life was heading towards a place of violence and anger before a combination of secure accommodation
and discovering his faith helped turn his life around. Life has also become a bit more exciting since meeting his long-distance partner Stephanie. They met through his faith community and he’s currently working at KFC, saving up to spend more time with her and her family.
“She’s incredibly supportive of me. And if you ask my
support workers, they will tell you how good religion has been for me. I’ve got great friends and a partner. Life’s good.”
If you’re interested in seeing more of Dylan’s photos, give him a follow on Instagram at - @dylancottonphotos
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Ask Alex!
Housing Service Advisor Alex is part of our Property Team. He also works closely with the Customer Services Team, who are also responsible for responding to maintenance and repair requests. If you’ve called us to report maintenance in the last year, chances are you have spoken with Alex!
What do you like most about working at HCSA? Community. I’m happy to work in a place where I’m surrounded by people; co-workers and residents alike. With so many residences surrounding our office plus plenty of events, there are so many great opportunities to put faces to names and get to know everyone. What is your best maintenance tip for residents, especially coming into warm weather? Checking for water leaks. With less rain around, it’s the perfect time to check for leaks around the property.
Here’s what to look for: • puddles appearing on the ground without rain or watering • unusually long patches of grass compared to the rest of the lawn • wet patches appearing in cement or pavers. If you notice any of this, call the maintenance line and we’ll send a plumber out to investigate. Although we’ve had a lot of rain this year, I believe it’s every Australian’s responsibility to look after our water. How did you come to work at HCSA? I have come from utilities, most recently with SA Water in the financial hardship department. It was great providing support with such a vital resource, so when an opportunity came up to work in housing, I jumped at it. What is more vital than housing? What do you like to do when you aren’t working? I have a 1-year old puppy who keeps me very busy when I’m not working. She loves going for lots of walks, and meeting people and other puppies along the way...she also goes bananas for a schmacko!
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Dental Clinic update
What’s the best time to visit the dentist? Well, it’s anytime that’s not 2:30! The Light Square Common Ground Dental Clinic was originally opened to service Common Ground residents; however, is now available to all Housing Choices SA residents. There is no cost for the service. It’s a welcoming, understanding clinic with a team of dentists who want to help and make a difference. How to get an appointment You can call 8205 1618 to speak to Amanda Drewer. Amanda has been working at the clinic for more than 8 years and loves working with residents and dental staff to get great outcomes. You can also ask your housing officer or support worker to refer you on to Amanda by email. The clinic is open Monday to Friday and is closed on every second Wednesday . What kinds of treatments can I expect? The dental clinic provides examinations, cleaning, dental health education, fillings, extractions and on a case-by-case basis can provide root canal treatment. The clinic also has a volunteer oral surgeon and special needs dentist.
Farewell Margie Steffens! Margie Steffens OAM (above left) who was the driving force behind the Light Square Common Ground Dental Clinic since
Meet Dr Harry With Margie Steffens’ retirement, Dr Harry Perkins (above right) will lead dental care at the clinic. Dr Harry is excited to treat patients, wrangle fifth year volunteer dental students and keep organising community donations to support the clinic, so it can run for many years to come. If you’re feeling a bit nervous about having dental work done, Dr Harry says the best thing you can do is simply tell the clinic staff! “Feel free to come have a chat and we can help explain and answer any questions you might have. There’s lot of ways we can try and make a patient more comfortable in the chair,” said Dr Harry. “During any visit, you’re in charge and we won’t do anything you’re not comfortable with. But putting things off makes it harder and harder for both of us!” Dr Harry’s number one tip for avoiding unplanned visits to the dentist? “Brush the teeth you want to keep!” he said.
it began in September 2011 recently retired.
Margie secured the funding to begin the clinic and has managed its operations ever since. Margie also brought together a new governance team made up of The Australian Dental Association SA Branch, Adelaide University and Housing Choices South Australia to ensure the clinic serves the community - an incredible achievement. “I have so loved working with the residents, it has been wonderful to see people get their self-confidence back and put their trust in our care,” said Margie. Without her hard work and dedication, the clinic would not be where it is today and it’s safe to say, her presence will be missed by all – staff and residents alike. Thank you, Margie!
In 2021/2022 there were 70 visits to the dental clinic by Common Ground residents. Did you know?
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Christmas parties
Residents from all over Adelaide enjoyed Christmas parties close to home, with four special events spread across the city in late December. Resident Christmas parties are a chance to come together, celebrate the festive season and enjoy delicious food. For some of
our residents, it may be their only opportunity to celebrate Christmas. That meant we pulled out all the stops to make it special – gifts, raffles, decorations and of course, a hot lunch! These events are also a chance for Housing Choices SA staff to volunteer their time to chat and share a meal with
many of the residents they work with throughout the year – and for many staff it’s a yearly highlight. “Thank you to Mark and all of the staff who helped put on this Christmas party. It was an enormous success. The food was super. Thank you all very much,” said resident, Marjorie.
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1. Robert, Dennis and Housing Choices SA’s resident Santa - Justine 2. Willem 3. Neville, Honey and granddaughter
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4. Anna, Georgina and Miraphora 5. Judith and Lisa 6. Judith and Andrew 7. John with Lucy Hood MP 8. Jean and Marina
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Resident recipes
There’s nothing better than a tried and tested recipe! A big thank you to Christina from Walkerville for sharing these simple breakfast and salad recipes. Both recipes are light and perfect for the warmer South Australian summer weather.
French Lentil Salad
Basic Crepes
It’s best to use small green French De Puy or Beluga black lentils in this recipe, as they hold their shape much better than their larger cousins. You can find them at supermarkets and whole food shops. This is best served with a mixed green salad and some crusty bread.
An easy crepe batter that can be made in minutes using ingredients from the pantry.
Prep:
Cook:
10 mins
20 mins
Serves:
6
Yield:
12 crepes
Prep:
Cook:
10 mins
<20 mins
METHOD 1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and the eggs. Gradually add in 3 tablespoons butter, melted (coconut oil or safflower can be substituted) the milk and water, stirring to combine. Add the salt and butter; beat until smooth. INGREDIENTS 1 ½ cups plain flour 3 eggs ¾ cup milk ¾ cup water 3/8 teaspoon salt
2. Heat a lightly
Serves:
6
oiled frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately ¼ cup for each crepe. Tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly. 3. Cook the crepe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown. Loosen with a spatula, turn and cook the other side. 4. Serve hot, can use with fruit, jam or lemon and sugar or savoury fillings.
INGREDIENTS 2 cups French or Beluga black lentils 1 bay leaf 1 whole clove garlic 2 carrots, chopped fine 2 stalks celery, chopped fine 1 scallion, chopped fine 2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil 2 tablespoons lemon juice 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
METHOD 1. Place lentils, bay leaf and garlic clove in a saucepan and add six cups of water along
with a generous pinch of sea salt. 2. Bring lentils to a
boil, reduce heat to low, cover and cook 15-18 minutes, until lentils are tender but still firm. Drain lentils into a mixing bowl and let cool.
3. Discard the garlic and bay leaf. Add
carrot, celery, spring onion or red onion, parsley, lemon juice and olive oil to lentils. Toss well and season to taste.
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Home Stories Summer puzzle Win a $50 Bunnings voucher! Find all of the words in the word search except for one, which is not actually in the grid. Words may be forward, backward, up, down or diagonal. WAVESYYBAPICNIC L RWXWCOMMUNITYS C E L EBRATIONLQJL N L B REMMUSGUPNFL NAVSYADILOHEATE B XG I HNSKUQZTKFH EWXFQCYSREWOLFS A T T VWNSUNBLOCKJ C UEUCEBRABTMIWS HVNFRSGNINEDRAG
FIND THESE WORDS IN THE GRID
SUMMER SWIM COMMUNITY WAVES
SHELLS RELAX BARBECUE BEACH
HOLIDAYS PICNIC HEAT CELEBRATION
SUNBLOCK FLOWERS GARDENING SUNGLASSES
Once you’ve found all the words in the word search contact our Inclusive Communities Team with the remaining word on 1300 312 447 or send an email to communitydevelopmentsa@hcau.org.au to go in the draw.
Please also include your name, home address and contact number. Entries for the competition close on Friday 24 February . Maximum one entry per household.
Summer Brain Teasers Answers can be found in the content of this newsletter.
1. How many visits to the dental clinic were made by Common Ground residents in 2021/2022? 2. How many Christmas parties were held by Housing Choices SA in December 2022?
3. What is Alex’s best
Summer maintenance tip for residents? 4. What are the Common Ground Dentist Clinic open days?
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Stay Connected Stay Active Registration is requested for all events and activities
Inclusive Communities Team on 1300 312 447 or at communitydevelopmentsa@hcau.org.au visit our Facebook page @Housing Choices South Australia for more information.
Disclaimer: To the best of Housing Choices Australia’s knowledge (Housing Choices), this information is valid at the time of publication. Housing Choices makes no warranty or representation in relation to the content or accuracy of the material in this publication. Housing Choices expressly disclaims any and all liability (including liability for negligence) in respect of use of information provided. Housing Choices recommends you seek independent professional advice prior to making any decision involving matters outlined in this publication.
Contact us: Please get in touch at any time if you have any questions or suggestions. For maintenance requests please call 1300 153 850 or report via our website: www.housingchoices.org.au/ contact/report-a-repair
192 Waymouth Street Adelaide SA 5000 1300 312 447 infosa@hcau.org.au
www.housingchoices.org.au
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