Frances Penington Award
The Frances Penington Award celebrates an individual public or community housing tenant, or a group of tenants, who have made an outstanding voluntary contribution to their community.
The award honours the late Frances Penington who, as a Commissioner of the Housing Commission, was the first woman appointed to the board of a statutory authority in Victoria. She was also a strong advocate for women in housing estates and was active in building and supporting the tenant community and sparking community involvement.
2019 winner
Judith Jackson
Aunty Jacko is a widely respected and loved elder and volunteer in the City of Port Phillip community. She has helped establish and maintain the weeking Wominjeka BBQ at the Veg Out St Kilda site, which is a core support for many indigenous members. The community gather to share connections and foster a sense of belonging.
Aunty Jacko is an integral part of 'Our Rainbow Place' in St Kilda. This is a place the local Aboriginal gather and share a healthy meal and have a yarn. Recently, Aunty Jacko has been involved with the St Kilda Surf Lifesaving club to help establish an indigenous group.
Aunty Jacko is a caring and generous mentor who has been advisor to a number of groups such as Star Health, City of Port Phillip for National Aborigines and Islanders Day observance Committee week events, Centrelink Windsor and City of Kingston.
2018
Andie Sweeney
Andie Sweeney was nominated for her voluntary contribution to several not-for-profit community organisations. She has been responsible for the establishment of the Ashwood, Chadstone and Ashburton-Alamein Tenants groups that provide support and advocacy to public tenants.
Over the last eighteen years, Andie has been a volunteer for the North Shepparton Community & Learning Centre. In this role, she has been part of the Committee of Management and taken on the role of President, Secretary, Treasurer and Vice- President.
Andie has engaged many of the youth in the Shepperton area by creating several programs in cooking, craft and food sharing. Andie is also part of the Foster Parent Program and cares for several young children, as well as raising her own daughter.
2017
Ashburton, Ashwood and Chadstone Public Tenant Group
The Ashburton, Ashwood and Chadstone Public Tenant Group was established in 2005 to represent the needs of local public tenants.
This group of about 40 people meet monthly to discuss issues within the community.
They have advocated strongly for local tenants, organising forums and information sessions.
The group hosts a number of social events, including a popular annual Public and Proud celebration.
The group has used these social events, offering free food and entertainment, to bring the local community together and help people get to know each other.
Their efforts have created a real sense of pride within the Ashburton, Ashwood and Chadstone community.
2016
Marlene McKay
Marlene has been a part of the Park Towers Housing Tenants Association for over 25 years. In that time she has been the group's Secretary and occasional Chair.
She is a long-standing advocate for the interests of the tenants on the Park Towers estate in South Melbourne.
Marlene has developed information in the languages spoken by the local tenants and trained and mentored many tenant volunteers.
She has also led the development and upgrade of the estate's community facility and motivates and organises community events.
In addition to her strong commitment to the tenants of Park Towers, Marlene has helped other tenant associations in the southern suburbs.
Marlene is held in high regard within the South Melbourne community.
Molly Hadfield Award
The Molly Hadfield Award honours outstanding services to older tenants.
The award is named after the late Mary (Molly) Hadfield OAM, who was a dedicated advocate for public housing tenants. She was also a founding member of the Housing for the Aged Action Group, which formed in 1983.
2019 winner
Linda Newman
Linda is actively engaged in representing the experiences of older people in metropolitan Melbourne. Linda's contributions enable Housing Choices Australia and City of Melbourne to improve service delivery and the experience of community housing for people over 55 years of age.
Linda volunteers as a member of Housing Choices Australia's Victorian Resident Advisory Committee and has not missed a single meeting since its inception, eight years ago.
Linda has advocated for the 55 plus cohort via guest speaking roles at housing events and volunteered her time to sit on panels to review and monitor small grants programs for residents to improve their participation in recreation and education activities.
Erika Lodge's story
Have a listen to Erika Lodges story of volunteering and winning the Molly Hadfield Award 2018. Read the transcript (Word).
2018
Erika Lodge
Erika Lodge is the President of the 78 Seniors Club Inc, which is a resident led group that provides social activities for seniors living at the estate. The clubs main aim is to create a sense of community, encourage friendship, reduce isolation and loneliness and encourage participation in activities and involvement in club planning and decision making.
Erika was chosen to represent Kensington residents on the Unison Housing Tenants Advisory Group that meet bimonthly. Erika also works in a volunteer capacity with Ozanam Community Centre where she has helped in the community kitchen once a week for the last twelve years.
Erika’s advocacy outside her home in Kensington has led her to consult on homelessness. She volunteered for 56 years with the Council to Homeless Persons. Last year she was interviewed by the ABC production of “You Can’t Ask That” in the episode on homelessness.
Erika’s philanthropic mantra is
it doesn’t matter what age one is, if help is needed, I will help and volunteer the best I can
2017
Merri Outreach Support Service Food Bank volunteers
The Merri Outreach Support Service (MOSS) Food Bank volunteers are a group of around 15 older retired public housing residents of Barkly Street, Brunswick.
They put together between 80 and 100 food parcels for families and older people struggling with the cost of essential food and groceries. Parcels may include a range of items like fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, and even nappies and baby formula.
Each week, the volunteers pick up and put away food for the food bank, grade fruit and vegetables and organise and distribute the food parcels. They take suggestions and feedback on the items people need.
These hard working volunteers are supporting people in the local community and helping older residents stay independent in their homes.
2016
Let's Get Together Group
The Let's Get Together Group was formed in 2003 when older community members saw the need for local activities and outings in Shepparton.
With initial funding from the Mental Illness Fellowship, the group has gone on to successfully raise funds and form financial partnerships with local businesses. The group has also expanded its activities and fundraising to regional towns.
It holds popular community barbecues every eight weeks. Up to 60 people attend, including residents from local aged care services.
The group, which won the 2014 Shepparton Volunteer Team Award, held its 100th barbecue in June 2016.
Nominate someone for an award
Nominations for the 2019 Social Housing Volunteer Awards have closed. Nominations for the 2020 awards open on 3 August 2020.
More information
For more information about the awards:
- Call (03) 9096 9938
- Email Housing Practice and Support