Hello,

Last weekend we had the first collaborative workshop between Sun Villages (Queanbeyan) (the Company), represented by Stina and Garry Kerans, and Sun Villages Co-operative (the Co-op) represented by myself, at a community hall in Cowan. I am the one with some more spare time presently to manage communications and participate in workshops, but please do check out our other Co-op directors who volunteer their valuable skills, knowledge and passion to our purpose.

We definitely aroused quite some curiosity about the Sun Villages opportunity, especially as a property investment, dispelling the misconception that one has to want to be a resident in the first project that we are giving our support to - that of the approved DA project of the Company. We don't solve our housing problems with one project. There is need for the Sun Villages model to be replicated in creating these new more affordable and more secure options for housing ourselves, in many different locations, to meet diverse needs of people at different stages of life. SMSF investors, investing funds in any Sun Villages project, will help in the chain reaction of stimulating a succession of building and renovation projects under the umbrella of the Sun Villages model, as will people investing surplus savings.

On their (the Company) website, there is an updated (2023), easier to read downloadable Ebook by Stina Kerans, "How We House Ourselves Matters - Changing our social structures from the bottom up". It's a good first read to introduce you to the ethos of our Sun Villages movement that has evolved from Stina's life long passion for social sustainability, blended with Garry's passion for ecological sustainability, and finally mechanisms for making such housing projects financially viable.

In response to requests for more online information, the Company is compiling an "Orientation tour" that blends their information resources in a dynamic way, to make it easier for more people to become familiar with how the Sun Villages model works and could be just the solution they're looking for! Updates on this to follow.

The Orientation Tour will help explain how the Sun Villages model provides solutions for younger age, middle age and older age folk, as an alternative to different age groups being silo-ed into living apart and not interacting inte-generationally. I referred to this in News#2, last December. Read on below for some commentary I make about housing matters for those of us at the older stage of life, however youthful we feel.

I am also putting feelers out for your ideas for other housing projects for the Co-op to consider; AND to find people with building trade skills who might like to be involved in build or renovation projects.

Ageing well, in place

I find that most of the online resources for ageing support organisations seem to want you to feel old, and dis-empowered and in need of others to take responsibility for you, once you turn 50 years old! Most of those of us working away to achieve the Sun Villages project goals and big vision are well over 50, and very busy living purposeful lives. I turn 60 in April, and am busier than ever. Stina and Garry hardly ever slow down. What do other people think about positive ageing?

As a NSW state election issue, Council On The Ageing (COTA) is calling for a senior Ministry on Positive Ageing to be established by the government, after the March 2023 election. They want government policies that support their desire to live in age-friendly environments, in inclusive communities; to feel safe, able to be active and to stay healthy and resilient. Here are the key concerns and wants captured in COTA's most recent (2022) "50+ Engagement Report".

Isolation and vulnerability is a major concern. So, they want

• dynamic and interesting social engagement

• opportunities for part-time or casual work

• access to public transport

• access to specialist health service providers;

and they call for more investment and creative thinking to solve housing issues.

I think we of the Company and the Co-op should approach COTA to introduce them to the Sun Villages creative thinking and investment opportunity, which does not rely on charity or government hand-outs, and provides all of the above wants, and more. In doing so, can we create a domino effect of successively attracting the attention of others who have genuine intent in wanting better housing solutions for older folk who want to age well, have good social times, and - health-permitting - live full and active lives?

I was going down rabbit-holes, following lots of links to other organisations and initiatives. Who of you reading this can share ideas for good contacts to reach out to? We'd love to hear from you.

Networking with tradespeople

Networking is one of our Co-op goals - bringing collaborators together. We'd love to hear from you too, if you are a tradesperson who takes pride in your work and is attracted to opportunity to work with healthier building and fit-out materials, creative designs, and eco-efficient utility systems.

Help our Sun Villages movement grow

Help us grow our member base and grow our project offering!

We welcome new members with diverse needs, interests, experiences, knowledge and skills, and able to assist - sometimes in a volunteer capacity where you are able to and have will to; and also to be part of a team delivering a project, paid for your work.

We have a Disclosure Document and Co-operative Rules that we provide anyone interested in becoming a member, for your review before joining.

Do have an explore of our website, and feel free to contact me with any questions or simply to have a chat about housing matters and the Sun Villages solutions.

Cheers for now

Ann Taylor

secretary