There have been a number of significant events for Tenants Advice Service in the last year including: a number of staffing changes, not least of which was Pauline Logan's long service leave and arrangements to fill the Coordinator's position during her absence; the departure of long standing Management Committee members; and seeing the new tenancy network model finally come to fruition.
This year saw Pauline Logan achieve what many in the sector don't - long service leave. In her absence, the Coordinator's position was filled by: Leanne Barron (on secondment from WACOSS) taking responsibility for accountability reporting, policy work and some staff supervision; Shirley Southgate who continued in her position as Solicitor but with a reduced caseload to enable her to take responsibility for direct service, staffing and policy and liaison work; and Esther Shortland who had responsibility for financial administration and some staff supervision. In addition, Peter O'Dea was employed as a part-time Advocate to back fill Shirley while taking on part of the Coordinator's duties.
Other staffing changes included the resignation of two Administrative staff - Sarah Sheehy who had filled the position of Administrative Assistant, left to travel overseas and Val Hazell, the Administrator, left to enjoy temporary retirement and has since been enticed to return to Legal Aid. Into this area we welcome Penny Kirk to the position of Administrator and Rebecca Smith to the newly created Receptionist Administrative Assistant position.
On behalf of the Management Committee I would like to sincerely thank staff for their commitment and ongoing support of the organisation, particularly during times of uncertainty and change as the new network model has unfolded.
I would also like to acknowledge the volunteer contribution of Management Committee members. In particular, I would like to acknowledge the very significant contribution of Sue Cannell who served on the committee for more than 7 years, and Heather Dalziel who has contributed consistently to the Committee for over 4 years.
TAS has continued to promote the development of a 'network model' for the provision of tenancy services in Western Australia which came to fruition this year and will see the allocation of $625,000 from the Rental Accommodation Fund monies. This is a collaborative model of service delivery based on the principle that more comprehensive and appropriate services for tenants can be provided by harnessing TAS' significant tenancy expertise along with the close links and networks that local services have with their communities. Seven services will be funded (3 metropolitan and 4 regional) which will target both public and private residential tenants with particular emphasis on Aboriginal people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and people who are unemployed and aged between 15-24 years. This is a significant shift in the way tenancy services are delivered in WA and we look forward to the implementation of the model in 1999/2000 and TAS' part in this.
Other highlights for the year include: