It all began with a fence.
In 2010, Bruce and Sally’s daughter and son-in-law were building a house in Bendigo, having bought a block of land among other soon-to-be-developed lots. When it came to enclosing the property, they looked up who owned the land next door.
“What or who on earth is Common Equity Housing?” Sally remembers the family asking.
A quick Google answered their curiosity and planted a seed in their minds.
Fast-forward a few years – a fence is erected, homes are built, but Sally and Bruce couldn’t shake the feeling that co-operative housing “could be a go.”
After 18 years owning and operating a party store, the couple were heading into retirement looking for something keep them busy, but with the flexibility they needed to accommodate with Sally’s medical appointments.
As it happened, some co-op opportunities were opening in Bendigo, and the couple attended an information session to learn more.
“We were thinking, jeez, actually, that would be suitable for us,” Bruce recalls.
And it was. The couple moved into their new home in 2013, joining Rainbow Eight CERC in Bendigo.
The house was a bit of a fixer-upper, but the couple were excited to make it their own. Bendigo had just come out of a decade-long drought, the garden was dry, the trees overgrown and not much had survived. Still, the couple saw potential straight away. The weatherboard house, they agreed, “had good bones.”
“Bruce already had a chainsaw, and he was ready to go!” Sally says.
Together for 47 years, the couple shine when telling stories together. They finish each other’s sentences, adding in extra detail if the other forgets, and move the story forward if one gets carried away. Talking about their time in co-op housing is no different.
“It’s people, that’s what co-op housing comes down to. We’re a huge believer in it, it’s terrific when people co-operate – excuse the pun!” Sally laughs.
“You get to know a lot of people over the years – from our co-op and others in CEHL. Some you stay in contact with and catch up with, talk about the work and issues. We’ve made great connections,” Bruce says.
They’ve always taken pride in knowing their neighbours and see being part of a co-operative as “being part of a team.”
Bruce has held many director positions at Rainbow Eight. Known for being very hands-on and practical, he’d often be seen with his toolkit fixing taps or checking smoke alarms at the various properties.
Like any small business, managing a housing co-op comes with its challenges. At one point, the co-op faced a significant financial setback that required urgent attention and a coordinated response.
Bruce took on the role of treasurer, working closely with CEHL’s finance team to stabilise the situation. Within 12 months, the co-op’s finances were back on track — a moment Bruce describes as a real turning point and a huge relief.
Three years ago, Sally and Bruce relocated to Grovedale to be closer to their daughter and grandchild. They moved into a home that been specifically designed with those over 55 in mind – an ideal fit for Sally’s mobility needs.
As they prepared for the move, another family were settling into one of the larger homes in their co-op. Seeing an opportunity to help, Bruce and Sally offered their furniture to the new family, who were just starting out and didn’t have much. It made downsizing easier for them – and a big difference for someone else.
“It was such a thrill to be able to help out our community – and we say again, that’s what co-op housing is about,” Sally says.
When the couple moved, they became Vic-Wide tenants, but they’re soon joining the Geelong West CERC and are excited at the prospect of being back in the co-op community.
Bruce and Sally love the area, and its proximity to their beloved U3A (University of the Third Age) classes.
Bruce goes to history classes, currently learning about the trials of Oscar Wilde. Sally likes the “Let’s talk about that” debating classes.
“They’ve got so many different classes and things to learn together,” Sally says.
“The world is constantly changing, and we believe you should always be learning new stuff.”
