Co-operatively Speaking

Co-operatively Speaking is a regular publication for CEHL co-operative members. It offers resources, information, member stories, insights into what has happened, and a preview of upcoming projects and events.

June 2026

June 2026

In this issue:

  • Regional meetings update
  • Invitation to the 2026 Directors’ Forum
  • Lakewood Housing Co-op’s art exhibition
  • In memory of Jerzy Ordega from CERC13
  • Robyn from Rainbow Eight CERC’s garden transformation
  • Thornbury home gets a fresh new look
  • Lakesdale CERC’s Graham Griffiths shares an update on the CCA review
  • Meet elected director Sylwia Greda-Bogusz OAM
  • Getting the most from your co-op meetings
  • Supporting members and renters through times of crisis
  • ACHA Canadian Study Tour
  • Fire safety information

March 2026

In this issue:

  • CCA Update: Phase Two Now Underway

    IYC2025: Wrapping Up International Year of Co-ops

    CEHL AGM 2025 Wrap

  • Your New Elected Board Directors 

    2025 Honour Board Recipients

    Thanking Tony De Domenico

    2026 Study Grants Now Open

    Keeping Your Home Cool This Summer 

    Victory’s Co-op Story

    Contacts, Services and Supports This Festive Season 

    Charle’s Famous Christmas Cake Recipe

December 2025

In this issue:

  • CCA Update: Phase Two Now Underway

    IYC2025: Wrapping Up International Year of Co-ops

    CEHL AGM 2025 Wrap

    Your New Elected Board Directors 

    2025 Honour Board Recipients

    Thanking Tony De Domenico

    2026 Study Grants Now Open

    Keeping Your Home Cool This Summer 

    Victory’s Co-op Story

    Contacts, Services and Supports This Festive Season 

    Charle’s Famous Christmas Cake Recipe

October 2025

In this issue:

  • Second Annual ACHA Summit in Melbourne

    Merri Co-op Homes Take Part in Climate Safe Room Trial 

    Co-ops Win at Australasian Housing Industry Awards

    Stockaders Gain Two New Homes 

    Rutherglen Board to Board Meeting 

    Dolphin’s Co-op Story 

    Spotlight on Shepparton and the Peninsula Region

    Your Veggie Garden, Pets, and Recipe Winners 

    Herbert Street Board Director Training

August 2025

In this issue:

  • CCA Recap and Next Steps 

    What does a Co-op Treasurer do?

    Join the CEHL Board and Shape the Future of Co-op Housing 

    Governance Foundations: Developing Board-Ready Directors 

    Meet your Technical Board Director Tony De Domenico

    Nominations for the 2025 Honour Board 

    Regional Board Meetings Metro North and West

    Housing Development Pipeline 

June 2026

In this issue:

  • Welcome to the CEHL Co-op Community, Mosaic

    Bruce and Sally’s Co-op Story

    CCA Agreement Review and Working Group for Directors

    Callout for Training Programme participants

    Building Stronger Connections: CDCs out and about with Co-op Directors

    Meet Your Co-op Elected Board Director

    Regional Board Meetings Strengthen Co-op Connections in Colac

April 2025

In this issue:

  • Regional Board Meetings Strengthen Co-op Connections in Bendigo and Bairnsdale 

    CCA Agreement: Strengthening how CEHL and Co-ops Work Together 

    A Piece of Lakewood in the CEHL Office 

    A Sustainable Shift: How Phoenix Co-op is Future-Proofing Homes 

    Lakesdale Co-op: A Thriving and Resilient Community 

    Meet Your Co-op Elected Board Director

    Understanding Complaints and Feedback 

    CEHL 2025 Study Grant Recipients 

    Linden Garden’s ‘Heavenly’ Carrot Cake

February 2025

In this issue:

  • Federal Housing Minister and Treasurer Visit Entity CERC and Lakewood CMC  
  • Celebrating the International Year of the Co-op 
  • Regional Visits and Upcoming Trainings 
  • Co-op Planning: It starts with education  
  • Important information about the Annual Rent Review 
  • Kylies Story: Putting down roots at Merri CERC 
  • Maintenance Update and Reporting Urgent Repairs  
  • Barbara’s Marry Me Chicken 

December 2024

In this issue:

  • AGM Recap and Photo Gallery 
  • Your 2024 Honour Board Recipients
  • Trish Ridsdale: Getting Board-Ready Co-Op Directors for CEHL   
  • 2024 Study Grant Recipients and Openings for 2025 
  • Celebrating the Inaugural Australian Co-operative Housing (ACHA) Summit
  • Ashleigh’s ACHA Story 
  • Regional Visit Schedule 2025 
  • Navigating Conflict in Co-ops 
  • Study Grants Information
  • Charles’ Christmas Cake Recipe 

October 2024

In this issue:

  • Regional Visits – Shepparton

    Upcoming Training & Information Sessions

    Thank You to Barry from the members of Dolphin CERC

    The 2024 Annual Member and Renter Satisfaction Survey Results

    Co-op AGM Deadline Reminder

    Fire Safety in Multi-Site Buildings

    Director Assistance Program  

    Morning Tea with Victorian Police

    Europe Study Tour – Report Release

    In Person New Member Information Sessions for Bendigo

    Creative Arts Competition Photos and Winner

    Tackling Loneliness for Better Mental Health

August 2024

In this issue:

  • Join the CEHL Board
  • CEHL Study Grants recipients
  • Call for Nominations for the CEHL Honour Board
  • Mid-year update on the Retrofit Pilot Project
  • CEHL enhances service delivery with new regional approach 
  • 2024 Annual Survey update
  • Larrakeyah CERC and Dolphin CMC welcoming new members
  • Housing and Asset update
  • Co-op Director Update
  • Member Recipe: Jacqueline and Sage from Larrakeyah
  • Pet photo winners

May 2024

In this issue:

  • MP Dr. Helen Haines learns about co-operative housing

  • Opportunity for CEHL members to form a brand new co-operative in the heart of Melbourne

  • CEHL Study Grants open

  • Meeting CEHL co-ops –Sunraysia CERC, Mildura

  • Introducing the CEHL co-op Director Assistance Program

  • NEW Housing Support Coordinator role to provide dedicated support

  • Setting up a central email for co-ops

  • CEHL seeking investment to meet co-op housing needs

  • CEHL continues to deliver upgrade projects across property portfolio

  • Save money and install more energy efficient appliances! 

  • Member recipe: Liza’s gluten free pancakes

  • Member’s garden feature

February 2024

In this issue:

  • Lakewood Re-opening

  • Vale Gayle Carley

  • Co-op Director update

  • Maintenance update

  • New homes ready for their first members

  • Upcoming Rent Review information

  • Invitation to ‘The Value of Housing Co-operatives in Australia’ report launch

  • Highlights from the 2023 AGM

  • 2023 Honour Board recipient Gordon Kieselbach

  • Member questions raised through the 2023 AGM

  • Member Recipe Samantha from Southerners CERC

November 2023

In this issue:

  • Member and Renter Housing Plans 

  • Co-op Director update by Alyce Holmes

  • 2023 AGM agenda & information

  • VicWide to Co-op Geelong pilot session

  • Advocating for Co-operative Housing

  • Refurbished laptops for Co-ops 

  • Unlock governance excellence with ICDA membership

  • Empowering Goulburn Valley CERCs financial expertise

  • New build – Endeavour Hills

  • Stockaders CERC Resources Kit 

  • Member recipe – Vania from Carinya CERC

  • End of year help guide

September 2023

In this issue:

  • Become a Director with the CEHL Board. An insight from Heidi Lee

  • Member & Renter Housing Plan

  • Sourcing New Co-op Members, Beyond the VHR. Kevin Thomas shares his experience.

  • New Developments

  • Transferring from VicWide back into a co-op.

  • Why are inspections photos taken?

  • Member and Renter Survey Results 

  • Board News

  • Upcoming Events

  • Member Recipe – Robyn from Southern Cross CERC

  • Member Story – Bianca from Cut Paw Paw CERC

  • Embracing Age-Friendly Changes

June / July 2023

In this issue:

  • New member selection change

  • July Hot Topic Session: Member Selection – Beyond the VHR

  • Common Connections June Events

  • August Hot Topic Session: Succession Planning for Co-op Success

  • Co-op Director Update

  • Member Recipe by  Chantal Goss

  • Your favourite pieces of furniture

  • AGM – Save the Date

  • Calling for Nominations – 2023 Honour Board

May 2023

In this issue:

  • Annual Tenant Survey
  • Views sort on removing under 18-year-olds’ income from the assessed rents model
  • Heathmere on the Park build 
  • CHIA 2023 Conference
  • VicWide Renter Update
  • Co-op Director Update
  • Common Connections – Where the CEHL Community Meets!
  • Strengthening Co-op Voice Project  
  • My Chooks by Liza Dezfouli
  • Member Recipe by Sarah Andrews
  • Victoria in Bloom Gardening Competition
  • Favourite Plant Winners
  • Scar Tree Walk – a journey of cultural learning
  • Study Grant Recipient – Mikoto Araki

April 2023

In this issue:

  • HIF HUBS: The Verdict
  • CERC Director Update by Alyce Holmes
  • New Directors for Goulburn Valley CERC
  • Two families join Dolphin CMC in Frankston.
  • VicWide Renters –  This one’s for you
  • Hot Topic session:  Energy Efficient Homes & Solar – CEHL’s Approach
  • Better Together Conference Feedback
  • Conference & Co-ops Got Talent Photo Pages!
  • 2023 Study Grant Recipients
  • “Pet Selfie” Photos and Winner!
  • Members Recipe – Christine from Stockaders CERC
  • Phishing Information
  • Power Saving Bonus
  • Carlton Office Update

March 2023

In this issue:

  • HIF HUBS: Coming to your region
  • Directors Update by Alyce Holmes, General Manager Co-op Services
  • Better Together – 2023 CEHL Co-operative Housing Conference Registration Reminder
  • Hot Topic Invitation
  • International Women’s Day Invitation
  • Creative Co-op Members & Renters
  • Your Pet’s Turn to Win $50
  • Member Recipe Simone from Stockaders CERC
  • Member Stories My Art Journey by Dianne from Carlton VicWide
  • Let us entertain you! Co-ops Got Talent – CEHL Choir!

February 2023

In this issue:

  • Hot Topic Online Session: Understanding the 2023 Rent Review
  • Studying this year?  You could be eligible for a $2000 Study Grant!
  • Better Together – 2023 CEHL Co-operative Housing Conference  
    FOUR PAGE PULL OUT GUIDE
  • This (Birdies) Life by Sally of Lakewood CMC
  • Fabulous gardens
  • Artists – it’s your turn to win a $50 Gift Voucher!
  • HEALTH ALERT – Mosquitoes!
  • Does your co-op need a repurposed laptop?
  • Heating & cooling upgrades for CERCs

December 2022

In this issue:

  • 2021-22 CEHL Honour Board
  • Board Election Results
  • Regional Consultation Wrap-Up
  • New Member Housing Plans
  • Getting to know Damian Dickson
  • Study Grants
  • TAC is Seeking New Members
  • Let’s Celebrate the Voices of Co-ops!
  • Garden Photo Competition –  WIN a $50 Gift Card!
  • Getting to Know Kim Marshal
  • ‘Co-ops Got Talent’ – Call for Entrants!
  • Western Co-op’s Morning Tea
  • Hot Topic Wrap-up
  • Referral to Support

November 2022

In this issue:

  • A closer look at the International Co-operative Principles.
  • The value of relationships for healthy co-ops by Mark Dowling
  • Maintenance Stimulus Program – tips to help you select your new co-op members
  • Keeping data safe at CEHL
  • Farewell to Sandra Castro
  • Interview with Liz Thomas by Sarah Andrew From Liberty CERC
  • SAVE THE DATE for the 2023 CEHL Co-op Conference: Better Together
  • Hot Topic’ Online Sessions for Co-ops 
  • Seeking your Input for National Research into Co-op Housing

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