“I grew up in the country and I didn’t know that there was something called social housing. I didn’t know about problems with mental health, or alcohol and drugs.

“But right from the beginning as a tenancy officer, I had such a lot of passion and compassion for our tenants,” Alice said.

“I always felt strongly about social justice. During my career, it was important for me to keep asking my team and other service providers, ‘what else could we be doing for our clients?’’

The primary role of tenancy officers is to ensure a tenancy complies residential tenancy legislation. But as Alice explains, tenancy staff spend time with tenants in their homes. It’s a privileged position where you see people in their personal, private space, often at their best and worst. Tenancy officers are a dedicated team who really put their heart and soul into their positions.

“For me, the most important thing about working at Homes Tasmania, was being able to help people who were vulnerable and in need. Housing is fundamental and I have never stopped valuing the importance of our role and the major part we play in people’s lives.

“I always wanted to do the best for tenants and what I found most challenging was when we had to go through legal processes with tenants.

Under their lease, tenants are responsible for paying the rent, keeping their property in a good condition and being a good neighbour. Social housing providers work with tenants to rectify breaches and sustain tenancies. Legal proceedings to evict a tenant are always the action of last resort and used only when tenants are unwilling to rectify breaches of lease after numerous interventions.

“I felt we’d failed even though it takes a lot to get there; we really go through may breaches of the lease and try everything to avoid going through the process but sometimes there is just no other choice,” Alice said.

“Fundamentally, we want people to have successful tenancies.

“Fortunately, there were many, many more people we worked successfully with and were able to come out the other side and have a good tenancy.”

“I learnt so much from the people we work with. It was a big learning curve, a learning curve I was on for my entire 30 years.”

After an initial temporary contract, Alice soon secured a permanent role making housing her career, holding many key roles in the organisation, supporting staff and implementing new programs on the North-West Coast.

“Before Housing Connect, we completed assessments with people who wanted to apply for housing. It was a wonderful position because even though we couldn’t provide a home immediately, we could make sure that people had access to other services they needed like domestic violence services. If something didn’t seem quite right, you could dig a bit deeper.”

After almost 30 years, Alice made the decision to retire. She shared several reflections on working with Homes Tasmania over the years.

“In 2021, I was very ill, and I wanted to come back to work. I got so much support with contact on a personal level to see how I was and with flexible return to work hours that I built up over until I was able to come back full-time. That was major for me.

“I think we have improved our training of new staff a great deal over the years. The introduction of the training team has increased statewide consistency and supported team leaders,” Alice said.

“I also think interagency teamwork is so important because making those contacts with support services really help us help tenants.”

And what is Alice looking forward to in retirement?

“I have my two children, four beautiful granddaughters and my sisters nearby and retirement will give me the freedom to be with them when I want.

“Housing was my passion, but the timing was right to retire. It’s time to move on to the next stage which is my family.”

Thanks to Alice for her commitment to improving the lives of Homes Tasmania tenants and support to staff over the last 30 years.