On Wednesday 2nd September, Ross House Association will hold an Information and Strategy Forum from 10.30am - 12.30pm in the Hayden Raysmith Meeting Room on level 4 of Ross House. This will be followed by a light lunch. This forum will aim to explore the strategic direction of Ross House over the next 5-10 years and the unique challenges that a self-managed community building faces. We strongly encourage you to attend, so we can explore these ideas as a community. If you wish for advanced copy of the presentation slides, please contact Michael Griffiths at michael.griffiths@rosshouse.org.au. Please RSVP to rosshouse@rosshouse.org.au by August 27th 2015.

2015 RHA Information and Strategy Forum

in the house A U G U S T 2 0 1 5

2 0 1 5 R H A

C O M M I T T E E

CHAIRPERSON

Valerie Elliott

(Handknitters Guild)

VICE CHAIR

Christine McAuslan

(COSHG)

TREASURER

Keith Bettles

(U3A City of Melbourne)

De Grebner

(TreeProject)

Maree Norris

(HAAG)

Sue Healy

(Appointed Member)

Charles Brass

(Futures Foundation)

Amber Moore

(Appointed Member, Staff

representative)

Michael Griffiths

(Ex-officio, RHA General

Manager)

Ross House 4 star NABERS rating! In May this year, Ross House exceeded all expectations and received an official NABERS* rating of 4 stars. What an incredible achievement! This is an increase of 1.5 stars from 2012, where the simulated rating was assessed at 2.5 stars. This measurable increase in building efficiency is directly related to improvements to lighting, air conditioning and the switch off attitude of our members and tenants over the last few years. Well done and thank you to everyone at Ross House! *The National Australian Built Environment System (NABERS) is a performance-based environmental impact rating system for existing buildings. Visit www.nabers.gov.au for more information.

P A G E 2

Building & Maintenance

There is a lot going on in the building at the moment, so please make sure you keep an eye out for the building maintenance emails that circulate regularly. On the 17th of June we organised an E-waste collection and it was great to see so many of you use this as an opportunity to sustainably remove unwanted electronic goods from your office. The hard waste collection on the 21st July was also enthusiasti-cally received by everyone, so thank you all for jumping on board. A letter was sent to those tenants who currently use Ross House internet on 7th August, advising that we are currently evaluating our options to provide fast and secure internet connection to Ross House and it’s tenants. We are seeking feedback from tenants by 21st August. If you have any questions or require a new feedback form please contact Michael or Nazz at the Ross House office. You may have noticed Julio, our ever reliable and friendly handyman, painting areas of Ross House lately. We have a long term painting schedule in place to paint the entire building but the areas currently being painted are Meeting room1.3, the Hayden Raysmith room and the street level foyer. Please take note of Wet Paint signs! We have also installed new photo luminescent exit signs—yes, this means they glow in the dark! The new signs have a lifespan of 50 years, replacing the previous system which only had a 5-year lifespan. Plus...we expect to save around $500 per annum on energy savings.

Ross House Association continues to make incredible energy savings as a result of sustainability works to the building, behaviour change and continued commitment from the entire Ross House community.

Note: the reduced energy consumption seen in October, November and December 2013 is

due to the HVAC installation works; a number of units were not in use during this time, result-

ing in reduced energy consumption.

I N T H E H O U S E

E-waste collected from the building in June.

P A G E 3

Ross House member group, Sustainable Living Foundation, have just opened event applications for the 2016 Sustainable Living Festival. The Sustainable Living Festival is an annual three-week event that aims to accelerate the uptake of sustainable living and seeks to return the planet to a safe climate as fast as humanly possible. The Festival raises awareness of the ecological and social challenges that we currently face and seeks to provide tools for social change to address these issues. Each year the Festival presents over 300 events that celebrate sustainability in the cities, suburbs and towns of this wide brown land. These community events contribute to a packed program of talks, workshops, films, exhibitions, art and design events that show how sustainability can be incorporated into everyday life. You too can join in the Festival fever by hosting your own event and submitting it for inclusion into the Festival program. We are seeking sustainability-themed events that can be staged during the three week period of 6th to 28th February 2016. Deadline for applications is 31st October 2015, so get in quick!! More information about submitting an event application can be found at the SLF website � www.slf.org.au

2016 Sustainable Living Festival applications now open!

Save time with your reporting

Ross House associate member, Calxa Australia, are holding one of their regular Calxa Club meetings at Ross House on 16 September at 2pm and welcome all members and tenants. Learn how other NFP’s are simplifying their board re-porting and grant acquittals, saving hours of valuable time each month. You’ll be able to meet other users and find out how you can improve your processes. Calxa provide dona-tions of their software through Connecting Up. Register on the Calxa website to find out more.

h�p://www.calxa.com/more/events/item/calxa-club-

melbourne-september

P A G E 4

Grants News

There are many grants open at the moment, but here are a couple of grants that look great! Helen Macpherson Smith Trust (HMST) grants stream is opening on 18th August and closing 10th September 2015. HMST grants help build fair, creative and resilient Victorian communities through initiatives that promote positive change. Applications are considered across five Grant program areas and offer four grant levels within each program area. Program areas are: 1. Education & Vocational Pathways Education 2. Regional Resilience Projects 3. Culture & Heritage Creative Initiatives 4. Land & Environmental Stewardship Initiatives 5. Health Advancement Grant levels are: 1. Community one-off grants—up to $30,000 2. Community Multi-year grants—total funding of $31,000 to $90,000 (over 2-3 years) 3. Social Impact Multi-year grants—Total funding of $91,000 to $200,000 (over 2-3 years) 4. Social Impact Lead Grants—over $200,000. By invitation only. For more information, including eligibility criteria, please visit http://hmstrust.org.au/grantseekers Google Grants is the non-profit edition of AdWords, Google’s online advertising tool. Google Grants empowers non-profit organistaions, through USD $10,000 per month in in-kind Ad-Words advertising, to promote their missions and initiatives on www.google.com. There is no closing date. Important criteria regarding the programme, include: ∗ You must have a website and your ads must link to a page on your website ∗ The keywords that you target must be relevant to your programme and services ∗ Your website cannot display revenue-generating ads, such as Google AdSense or affiliate

advertising links, while participating in Google Grants. ∗ The on-going, active management of your advertising campaign is your organisation’s responsibility once your account is active. For more information, including eligibility criteria, please visit www.google.com.au/intl/en/grants

I N T H E H O U S E

Top Grant Writ-

ing Tips

1. Follow the guide-lines and align your project to what the funder is looking for. If you’re unsure, contact the grant

provider directly.

2. If you see a grant

that you may be

eligible for but it

closes in less than

7 days – think

twice! Quality

applications re-

quire plenty of

time and atten-

tion.

3. Keep it short.

Sometimes grant

providers have to

read 100’s of

applications. Con-

cise yet informa-

tive applications

will stand out and

be appreciated.

4. In strategic giv-

ing, it’s all about

the outcomes. Be

focussed on your

outcome and how

this aligns with

your organisations

mission state-

ment.

5. Acknowledge

your key risks and

how you will miti-

gate them.

6. Advise how suc-

cess will be meas-

ured.

New Members P A G E 5

The Big Issue The Big Issue is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and creating job opportunities for homeless, marginalised and disadvantaged people. They help people help themselves. www.thebigissue.org.au National Seniors Australia – Melbourne City Branch The focus of the Melbourne City Branch of National Seniors Australia [MCB-NSA] is to enhance the quality of life for older persons, to promote independence, dignity and purpose for older persons, and to lead in determining the role and place of older persons in society whilst improving the image of aging. MCB-NSA operate a monthly Investment Discus-sion Group aimed at educating members about investments, pensions, and financial issues relevant to the financial wellbe-ing of older people. They also run a Travel Group that arranges tours and outings to meet the social, recreational and educational needs of their members. Climate Council of Australia The Climate Council is an independent organisation committed to providing accurate information to the Australian public on climate change. They combat the lack of factual information in the media, and are consistently asked to provide guidance on how to communicate the complex science and solutions to the public. www.climatecouncil.org.au The Sunflower Foundation The Sunflower Foundation is driven by evidence that shows that the education of girls and women from disadvantaged circumstances in developing countries is the most effective way of eliminating poverty, preventing abuse and improving economic conditions. Through fund-raising and a grants program, The Sunflower Foundation partners with local, grassroots or-ganisations to educate girls and women. www.sunflowerfoundation.com.au United Brains United Brains is a network of self-help, self-advocacy and support groups for people with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) throughout Victoria. Connected together though United Brains, ABI groups can coordinate to share ideas, lobby for change and raise community awareness about ABI. www.unitedbrains.org.au

Tenant Moves

∗ Exit Victoria have moved from Level 4 to Level 3

∗ Public Transport Users Association have

moved from Level 3 to Level 4.

∗ Dahl Trust and Aboriginal Literacy Foundation

have moved out of Ross House.

2nd floor tenant, Disability Discrimina�on Legal Service, are

looking for a free 4-drawer filing cabinet. If you have one to

spare, please contact Anna Leydon in the DDLS office.

Ross House website upgrade

Ross House is currently upgrading the website and

online meeting room booking system. The new

system will give you greater control over booking

meeting rooms, and will allow you to see what

rooms are available in real time. It’s very exciting!

Over the coming weeks we will be in contact to

ensure that your group’s information on the web-

site is up to date, and will be asking all members

and tenants to supply a photo they wish to have

accompany their website page.

We will keep you well informed of when the

change over to the new website is due and will run

training sessions on how to use the new booking

system. Dates to be confirmed.

P A G E 6

Ross House-keeping

� We have two new casual staff on the front desk, Stephanie East and Gabi Parton. Steph and Gabi, are doing excellently at learning the ropes on the front desk and are a very welcome addition to the Ross House staff team.

� Our bookshelf in the foyer area needs some extra loving. Please bring down any pamphlets and/or leaflets so we can pro-

mote your organisation.

� The Ross House e-bulletin goes out to a community database of around 800 mem-bers. It is a great opportunity to promote any events or happenings within your or-ganisation. If you would like to contribute, please email Katie with the information to rosshouse@rosshouse.org.au. You can also subscribe via www.rosshouse.org.au to re-ceive the e-bulletin each week.

� A huge thank you for being excellent and getting in touch regarding last minute room bookings. This has been very helpful. How-ever, please try to continue to use the online booking form for future bookings.

� There are some free events for members and tenants coming up over the next couple of months. An email will be sent around shortly regarding a new IT workshop.

� If you have new staff joining your organisation, please don’t forget to add them to the key regis-ter at the front desk to avoid any disappoint-ment. Only people listed on the key register can obtain a key from the front desk. You can advise Katie of any changes in person, via email or phone.

� Although the cleaners attend to the meeting rooms every day after-hours, the Ross House team will also be doing a monthly review to make sure things are kept nice and tidy for users. We would appreciate your help with this, by ensuring you remove your rubbish and clean the whiteboard after use.

� We have a new suggestion box in the foyer area for you to anonymously provide feedback or idea on how we could improve the Ross House services. It is located next to the fire hose in the foyer.

I N T H E H O U S E

Ross House Committee of Management

The Ross House Association AGM, which is held in November (date TBC), is fast approaching. There will be several positions available for nomination at this year’s AGM:

� Chairperson (2-year term)

� Vice-Chairperson (2-year term)

� 4 elected members (1 & 2 year terms)

� 5 appointed members (1 & 2 year terms) As members of Ross House Association, you have joined a unique self-managed community organisation. It is only through the participation of our members, that we are able to run the organisation through the Committee of Management, so please give some thought as to whether you are able to volunteer to become a member of the Ross House Committee of Management. If you are interested, or have any queries, please contact General Manager, Michael Griffiths on 9650 1599 or via michael.griffiths@rosshouse.org.au

University of the Third Age Melbourne City Thursday Forums P A G E 7

Did you know that U3A Melbourne City run forums on a Thursday that cover a broad range of interesting topics?

Coming up…

Thursday 10 September 2015 - "Playing the Genetic Hand Life Gave You" - Craig Hassed Genetics, the very blueprint of life on Earth, is constantly adapting and re-expressing itself in an ongoing interplay with the environment, mind and consciousness. The old way of looking at genetics was that we just got dealt a genetic hand by nature and we were either lucky or unlucky in what we got dealt. We are now coming to understand that this is where the genetic story starts, not ends. We do get to play the genetic hand we are dealt. Dr Craig Hassed will explain in lay-person’s terms how we can achieve this. Thursday 8 October 2015 - "Bringing "The Dressmaker" to Life; From Page to Screen ” - Rosalie Ham Filmed at Docklands Studios Melbourne and on location in the Wimmera wheat belt, The Dress-maker, brings Rosalie Ham's novel of the same name to life on the big screen. Rosalie will recount her incredible journey from writing the novel to her role as an extra in the film. A unique insight into an author’s perspective on the casting, location search, and costuming for the film. The film, starring Kate Winslet, Judy Davis and Liam Hemsworth, opens this October.

Details for both events:

Venue: Multi Cultural Hub, 506 Elizabeth St Melbourne, opposite Queen Victoria Market Time: 1.30 - 2.30 followed by afternoon tea Cost: $3 Payable at the door (includes afternoon tea). General public welcome Bookings Essential: Email forums@u3amelbcity.org.au, Phone 03 9639 5209 or in person at U3A Melb City Office, Room 4.4, Level 4, Ross House, 247-251 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Where: Multicultural Hub, 506 Elizabeth Street,Melbourne (opposite Queen Victoria Market)

Contact: www.u3amelbcity.org.au or call 9639 5209

COSHG presents…

Starting & Maintaining a Group Workshop

Facilitated by Christine McAuslan – COSHG Co-ordinator

A workshop for those who are:

� Thinking about starting a group

� Involved in a new group

� Wanting to keep a group on track This informal and practical workshop will explore some key issues for groups and will focus on participant questions to explore what is involved in starting a group and maintaining it. Including:

� Ways to find members

� Group structures and incorporation

� Running meetings

� Sharing responsibilities

� Group dynamics and cohesion Where: Ross House, 3rd Floor, Meeting room 2, 247 Flinders Lane Melbourne (accessible venue) When: Thursday 24 September 11.00am to 1.00pm Cost: Free to current COSHG members - $10 for non-members

Please RSVP to COSHG by Monday 21 September 2015 as places are limited.

Email: info@coshg.org.au Phone: (03)9650 2005 Web: www.coshg.org.au

Mid -Year lunch recap By Samantha Thornton

P A G E 8

U3A Signature Seminars: Challenges in our Time What: David Ames - Healthy Ageing: What’s New? Where are we heading? When: Friday 28 August, 1.30-2.30pm, followed by afternoon tea What: Margaret Simons - Journalism at the Crossroads When: Friday 25 September, 1.30-2.30pm, followed by afternoon tea What: Paul Monk - Australia in the Asian Century When: Friday 23 October, 1.30-2.30pm, followed by afternoon tea Cost: Victorian U3A members $6, non-members $12. Book at www.trybooking.com/50390 or call U3A Melbourne City office - 9639 5209 Where: University College, University of Melbourne, 40 College Crescent, Parkville, 3052 Contact: http://wwwu3a.org.au/30th_Anniversary

Full details of each of these seminars will be posted in the Ross House lift and on the foyer notice board.

On Thursday 30th July, Ross House members, tenants, staff and committee gathered in the Hayden Raysmith Room for the annual Mid-Year Lunch – a roaring success! The room was packed to the bunting laden rafters on what was the International Day of Friendship, and somewhere in the world it was also Cheesecake Day and Paperback Book Day. In celebration of this unusual mix of days, attendees were treated to a book swap and piles of cheesecake that was simply off the charts YUM! Ross House catering favourite, the Turkish Women’s Recreation Group, provided an amazing spread of delicious Turkish treats – and those that arrived early were rewarded for their keenness… ½ an hour in to the lunch and the Gozleme had practically run out the door! Those that came along were so very generous with their donations of books (thank you!) – new found treasurers flew out the door with attendees taking away a souvenir bookmark to mark the event, and their pages... A big thanks to everyone who came, to those that donated books and found new reads and new friends on the day – and of course to the cheesecake, who knew!

CMVic Upcoming Events P A G E 9

Sunday August 30th: Come to a StreetSounds Rough Riffs workshop led by Brian Strating as part of an afternoon of

family friendly workshops and acitivities. Share the Music Jam #4 will be hosted by The Welcome Group at the Kindred

Studios in Yarraville. As well as the Rough Riffs workshop, (time tbc) there will be workshops for kids and jam sessions

too. Come and join in! Bring an instrument or just bring your ears.

All are welcome to come and enjoy the sounds as Aussie born and Refugee friends jam together. There will also be infor-

mation available around what The Welcome Group does in Share the Music and all their other programs too.

Saturday September 5th: Singing Leadership Day

Spend the day with Jane Coker and Margaret Crichton, workshopping, song

swapping and sharing tips to build your skill and develop or refresh

your technique

∗ Develop your singing leadership skills

∗ Pick up techniques for getting all-ability groups singing easily

∗ Learn to teach songs by ear

∗ Take home some “instant singing” repertoire

∗ Learn how to create a “free and fearless space” for singing

∗ Do lots of singing and song-swapping

∗ Be inspired with new ideas for your group, or ideas for a new group!

∗ Lead a song and try out your skills in a supportive group (optional)

Who is it for? This workshop is open to anyone who leads or wants to explore

the idea of leading or supporting community singing activities. No musical

knowledge or experience is required – just a passion for the joy and

connectedness created by community singing. Cost: $44/25

Futures Foundation forum

What might good governance look like in Australia?

Surveys regularly show that the general public is highly sceptical of our current crop of political leaders and as a result generally we do not believe that we are being well led or governed. This month the Futures Foundation is holding a forum that will focus on governance in Australia and our guest will be the Federal Member for Melbourne and former Greens Deputy Leader Adam Bandt. Adam has a PhD in politics and law and practised as a lawyer before entering Federal Parliament. We are very much looking forward to hearing Adam’s thoughts about what contribution politics can make to the future of Australia. When: Thursday 27 August 2015, 5:40pm-7:30pm Where: Randstad Australia, 7th floor, Rialto Building, cnr of Collins and King Streets, Melbourne

Ross House members wishing to attend can book by emailing info@futuresfounda*on.org.au and bringing $20 (special Ross House member price) on the night.

General Manager

Michael Griffiths

michael.griffiths@rosshouse.org.au

Development Program Manager

Amber Moore

amber.moore@rosshouse.org.au

Membership & Tenancy Officer

Samantha Thornton

samantha.thornton@rosshouse.org.au

Information & Administration

Officer

Katie Stoll

rosshouse@rosshouse.org.au

247-251 Flinders Lane

Melbourne VIC 3000

Phone: 03 9650 1599

Fax: 03 9650 3689

Email: rosshouse@rosshouse.org.au

www.rosshouse.org.au

in the house is a Ross House Association internal publication, produced six times a year. If you would like to contribute an article, promote an event or share some exciting news about your organisation, sub-missions for the next newsletter are due by Wednesday 21st October, 2015. Please send all submissions to: amber.moore@rosshouse.org.au

Ross House Association Staff

Facility Manager

Nazzareno Marchionda

n.marchionda@rosshouse.org.au

Finance Officer

Junxia xu

junxia.xu@rosshouse.org.au

Casual Front Desk staff

Lucie McMahon

Sue McDonough

Gabi Parton

Stephanie East

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