Written by Marie Sillars
I was so grateful to CHIA NSW to invite me to speak about Tenant Advocacy on Day 2 of the conference. I attended a very interesting session about Co-Op Housing beforehand and learned quite a lot from other speakers.
The support I received from CHIA and Eva Gerencer (Link Wentworth) was fantastic. Eva asked me five questions about how I became an advocate. I spoke to a room full of wonderful people and felt very confident after hearing Michelle Adair speak (Housing Trust CEO). Sitting between Michelle and Eva made this so much easier, raising me up to achieve.
We touched on why I had come to public housing, Ivanhoe, then on to Community Housing, my proudest moments, when our Tenant Group won Volunteer of the Year, and also when I appeared at the Inquiry in July 2022. Recommendations from the Inquiry are a Senior Housing Service, Priority Age from 80 to 55 and Senior Housing in general, which are details that people in the crowd seemed to enjoy. I was asked to encourage others to join TAG, get involved with HAAG, National Alliance of Seniors for Housing, Ageing on the Edge and Lived Experience Action Group.
My involvement in Labor Politics was also a subject and I reminded people to approach politicians and not to be afraid. I received a question from our CEO Andrew McAnulty on this subject as we have to demand changes from these people.
The fifth question I answered with: 鈥淎lways remember that you have a voice, join the Silver Tsunami with me, step forward, share stories and have a say in your future. People over 55 speak out and be heard.
My favourite quote is from Dolly鈥檚 Dream: 鈥淪peak, even if your voice shakes.鈥�
Link Wentworth wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which we work and pay our respect to the Elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.