Evolve Newsletter: March 2019

E VOLVE NE W S COMMUNITY GARDEN

LOAN SCHEME

LUNAR NEW YEAR

MARCH 2019

IN THE WILD

Evolve residents go wild at annual Christmas party!

Hundreds of Evolve Housing residents and staff came together in December to enjoy food, fun and incredible wildlife exhibitions for free at our annual Christmas party.

The party was held on Sunday 2nd December at Wild Life Sydney in Darling Harbour, with more than 400 residents of all ages and backgrounds in attendance.

Residents were able to walk through the wildlife park all day free of charge, getting up close and personal with Australian native animals and listening to keeper talks.

The beautiful Koala Rooftop venue was reserved for Evolve Housing residents for three hours while a BBQ style lunch was served, giving everyone the chance to chat and relax.

There were also activities to keep everyone entertained including face painting, interactive animal talks, a photo booth, a raffle, and goodie bags for kids.

Thanks to everyone who attended — we hope to see you all at other Evolve events in the future!

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STEPPING ON REGISTER YOUR INTEREST

Are you over 65 years old? Would you like to be more confident when moving around your house and when you’re out and about? Stepping On is a free community program for seniors that can help you learn how to reduce your risk of falling and learn about nutrition in a fun, friendly environment.

The Stepping On program is suitable for anyone who is aged over 65 years old, living at home in NSW and able to walk independently (with or without a walking stick).

This course will be held in the Bankstown area, and involves a workshop one day a week for seven weeks.

It is managed by local health professionals.

If you think you’d like to come to this course in 2019, please register your interest on Eventbrite and we’ll send you an update when we’ve chosen a date and location.

You can also call our Community Development Team on 1800 693 865 to have a chat about the program or register your interest.

FAN volunteers and residents celebrate Christmas Evolve hosted our annual Friendship Aged Network (FAN) Christmas Lunch in December, and the day was filled with laughter, entertainment, and a delicious roast for 60 of our residents and staff at the Holroyd Function Centre.

Our FAN volunteers support senior residents who live alone. They contact aged residents each week to connect socially and check on their general wellbeing.

They play a very important role in the Evolve community, and we were thrilled that volunteers, residents and staff were able to get together to celebrate Christmas.

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Thornton Community Garden Do you live in Harts Landing? Want to meet your neighbours, learn gardening skills and beautify your suburb? Register your interest to get involved with the newly opened Thornton Community Garden!

The garden has been created by Thornton Community Group Inc., with the help of Echo Realty, AFFORD and Penrith City Council.

Community garden participants will be able to grow herbs, fruits and vegetables in the garden and feel like they’re part of the community. If you’re interested, contact Marzi for more information by emailing: marzidesanti@gmail.com

Get Active or Artsy

Echo Realty celebrates LUNAR New Year

GO! GRANTS AND NSW GOVERNMENT VOUCHERS Summer is over, the weather is cooling down and it’s the perfect time to get your kids involved with sports. Don’t forget that we offer Go! Grants of up to $350 per year per household to be used for sporting fees or equipment for young people.

To apply, email: community@evolvehousing.com.au or call: 1800 693 865.

Staff from Echo Realty, Evolve Housing’s not-for-profit real estate agency, joined in on the fun at the Cumberland Council Lunar New Year event on February 16th. We had badge making and paper lantern making activities for the little ones, and our staff enjoyed speaking to locals and letting them know about affordable housing!

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Parents, guardians and carers can also claim an Active Kids voucher from the NSW Government, with a value of up to $100 per calendar year for each student enrolled in school. These vouchers can be used for sporting or physical activity.

Creative Kids vouchers of $100 can also be claimed through the NSW Government for school-aged children, to be used on creative arts, speech, drama, dance, digital design, coding and music lessons and activities.

To claim your Active Kids or Creative Kids voucher, simply visit: service.nsw.gov.au.

Save the date We always have fun activities and events planned to entertain, inspire and educate our residents. Take a look at what’s coming up over the next few months, and don’t forget to save the date and keep your eye on our website for more information.

All bookings are available online at evolvehousing.eventbrite.com.au or by calling 1800 myevolve (1800 693 865).

Consumer Rights workshops Join us for a free consumer rights workshop and learn what rights you have when shopping. You’ll learn about buying goods and services, resolving complaints, warranties and repairs, and online shopping. Workshops will be given by staff from NSW Fair Trading, and only Evolve Housing and Echo Realty residents can attend.

To book a workshop, visit evolvehousing.eventbrite.com.au or contact our Community Development Team by calling 1800 693 865.

Parramatta Consumer Rights workshop When: Tuesday 12 March, 9.30am Where: Evolve Housing Office, Parramatta Bankstown Consumer Rights workshop When: Thursday 14 March, 9.30am Where: 42–44 Leonard Street, Bankstown Penrith Consumer Rights workshop When: Friday 22 March, 9.30am Where: Thornton Community Centre, 61 Lord Sheffield Drive, Penrith

Energy Training for Community Housing Tenants Learn handy tips to reduce your electricity bill with free Energy Training for community housing residents. The training, which will last about three-quarters of a day, will be held in Penrith on 9 April. It will cover topics including how to choose an energy contract, how to change your behaviour to save power, access to hardship programs, and common energy problems and how they may be resolved. To sign up, email community@evolvehousing.com.au for an application form.

When: Tuesday 9 April, 9.30am–3.30pm Where: Wentworth Community Housing, Borec House, Suite 1002, Level 1, 29–57 Station Street, Penrith IMAGINATE: Science Day Looking for something fun and educational in the April school holidays? Nurture the little scientist within your child by bringing them to Evolve’s Imaginate event, which will include workshops from Fizzics Education.

Kids will be able to learn more about science in a handson way with exciting experiments and activities aimed at school-aged children. To book in, or for more information, visit evolvehousing.eventbrite.com.au or call 1800 693 865.

When & Where: TBC! Watch the What’s On section of our website for details Where: Bankstown Cost: Free

No Interest Loan Scheme

Karee Oates, Marketing Engagement

Shannon Cochrane, Communications

Timothy Hartridge, Graphic Designer

CONTACT CONTACT US US

evolvehousing.com.au

1800 myevolve (1800 693 865)

info@evolvehousing.com.au P.O. Box W124 Parramatta,

Westfield Westfield NSW NSW 2150 2150 Follow us evolvehousing

evolvehousing

@evolvehousing

evolve-housing

Need to buy something important but can’t afford it right now? Why not apply for a loan through the No Interest Loan Scheme!

Loans are available for up to $1,500 for goods and services including fridges, washing machines and medical procedures. Repayments are set up at an affordable amount over a 12–18 month period and there are no fees, interest or charges. For more information about NILS, contact our Community Development team by emailing community@evolvehousing.com.au or calling 1800 693 865.

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