Tenant Paul May is proving himself to be a man of many talents. Paul has taken smaller fragments of the china found in the Goulburn St archaeological dig and is turning them into jewellery! #Clever #Jewellery #MosaicProject

Fabulously talented CG tenant Kirby Harris presented her debut concert on today.

The concert was a wonderful success with Kirby singing a gamut of different songs from Mozart, to Schubert, to Joni Mitchell, including some Juke Ellington, Gershwin and Lennon & McCartney.

Kirby was accompanied by Oliver Gathercole who is also a supporting artist along with Miriam Smith.

So very proud of our Common Ground community. Standing Up and Speaking Out as they took park in the White Ribbon Walk in Hobart today.

Even Miss Molly took part! Can you spot her?

#StandUpSpeakOut #ViolenceIsNotOK #MissMolly #WhiteRibbon

With thanks to the generosity of Cricket Tasmania CEO David Johnston, CGT tenants braved the cold wet weather yesterday to enjoy the second test Australia vs South Africa at Blundstone Arena.

Everyone had a ball (pardon the pun) watching the game and as a bonus witnessed Australia make a good recovery in the second half of the day.

Thanks Cricket Tas - it was a great day out!

#CricketTasmania #Thanks #GreatDayOut #BlundstoneArena#AustraliavsSouthAfrica

The mosaic project is steaming along ... literally! There was smoke and dust and a tonne of noise as our old pieces of china where expertly cut down into usable pieces.

Here is the first section completed - a river of blue (proudly shown off by tenant Maya, pictured) running through the entire 3 sections that will make the table top.

Looking fabulous isn't it!

#Mosiac #Beautiful #RiverofBlue

Although it looks a bit like a bull has gone through a china shop - this mess is infact very intentional!

The lovely ladies pictured Maya and Jo are colour coding the broken pieces of china found in the Goulburn St archaeological dig. This is the next step in our mosaic process.

We were surprised with the amount of different colours we found - blues, greens, browns, greys and pinks to name a few.

Now the next step of turning these broken pieces into something beautiful beings.

A wash of colour has engulfed the Common House at Goulburn St - CG tenant Dan McLean and CGT Support Coordinator Trish Gleeson have been busy creating tie dyed shirts.

Dan recalls that he first learnt to tie dye in grade 4 at St Helen’s Primary School. He just loved it ... but for reasons now lost in time, the students were not able to keep the shirts they made and Dan was left with a feeling of unfinished business.

So the recent tie dying activities have allowed Dan to revisit the fun he had as a boy making the shirts - and this time he gets to KEEP the shirt and he proudly wears it too!

Dan has some of his shirts for sale to cover the costs of materials so he can keep having fun with tie dye - they are $20 each - and each one is a one of a kind - a bit like our Dan.

PM Common Ground or call 6231 1118 if you would like one of Dan's pieces of art!

#TieDye #OneofaKind #DanIsKeepingThisOne

CG tenant, Melissa Lockley, looking fab and proudly showing one of her art pieces (at bottom) to the Hon Elise Archer MP at last nights opening of the Minds Do Matter Art Exhibition.

The exhibition runs until 23 October 2016 at the Waterside Pavillion, Mawson Place - Hobart. All of the exhibiting artists have had a direct or indirect experience of mental illness.

Four CG tenants, and Dave Reynolds who used to be on the CGT team, are featured in the exhibition. There are some beautiful works on display - make sure you check it out.

#mindsdomatter

The official lighting of our very own CG flame was a major highlight of our week at the Campbell St site. Over the past months we have worked with Wisdom Through Wood to create rustic bush seats and a fire pit that now provide another great community space for our tenant community.

CGT Managing Director Liz Thomas channeled her Girl Guide days to work with CG tenants Simon, Lynne (partially obscured) and Troy to get the flames started for the first courtyard fireside gathering. It was wet, it was cold but the wood was dry and we were soon warm ... and not a firelighter in sight!

#lightmyfire #wisdomthroughwood #girlguidetalents

With thanks to LINC Tasmania and the St Vincent de Paul Society, Common Ground tenants are getting the opportunity to learn new woodworking skills in a 7 week program.

With week 4 just completed, tenants have so far learned to plan their ideas using ipads and are now in the construction phase.

Pictured are Simon, Jill and Darren getting down to it.

We can't wait to see the finished products! Stay tuned.

#LINCTasmania #StVincentdePaulSociety #WoodWork #GettingCreative

The CG Goulburn St artefacts project rolls on, and each day we discover and learn more about the history of the site. This week it was tenant Tony Prini who surprised us all with his incredible knowledge of old bottles which began when, as a boy, Tony used to collect similar ones with his brother. Given how long they have been buried, most of the bottles are broken - although we have found a few intact and we are now using the internet at our onsite IT kiosk to research their history. Tony is pictured here trying to discover more about an old schnapps bottle from the 1920's. We plan to continue our CG discovery and ultimately create a public display to tell the story of those who lived and worked in the area before us.

People who have been street homeless have often been denied access to the technology that is now a core part of everyday living and social engagement, and had limited opportunities to develop their IT skills. CGT fund raising initiatives and the generous support of the Tasmanian Community Fund have provided for eight computers across both Common Ground sites and CGT continues to support 24/7access to the computer facilities, including free wireless internet. Through these IT facilities, tenants have the opportunity to develop competent IT skills in order to access increased job opportunities, connection to the wider community and family networks. ISW Development, a national IT service provider based in Hobart, offer CGT very generous terms to oversee our tenant computer network and to manage our office communications across both sites and our corporate office. A BIG shout out to ISW Managing Director Ian Warner for stepping up to the plate and making that all happen - it's another great example of businesses working together to end chronic homelessness in Tasmania. Pictured here is Michael, Systems Engineer at ISW, with CG tenant Darren Evans checking out the new look CG website. PS: The new website is seriously good - check it out at www.commongroundtas.com.au #ISW #TasmanianCommunityFund #Homelessness#ThankYou

— with ISW.

When our Goulburn St development was given the green light - it had been is use as a car park for over 60 years. The site developers, Fairbrother, broke through the asphalt to discover the remnants of an old house and a pub along with a treasure trove of artefacts including coins, bottles and odd bits of broken china. Archaeologists AUSTRAL TASMANIA were engaged to recover and document the finds. You can view the full story on the Common Ground Website -http://www.commongroundtas.com.au/our-properties. Fairbrother gifted the items to Common Ground and now the bits and pieces discovered are finding new life. Tenant artists are sorting through the china to create a mosaic table, bottles from times long past will find a shelf to grace, and the old coins are getting a scrub and polish thanks to our coin enthusiast and CG tenant Paul May pictured at work, below. #Restoring #Fairbrother #AustralTasmania#Treasures

— with Fairbrother.

Rustic bush benches made using traditional hand made techniques were the latest activity down at our Campbell St site this week.

The bonza blokes from Wisdom Through Wood, helped CG tenants make 4 bush benches and a frame for a fire pit.

Pictured here is Sujith Christie-David from Wisdom Though Wood and Leanne Johnson, who lives at CG Campbell St, making one of the benches.

Leanne learned the traditional techniques of whittling, using a draw horse and draw knife.

Awesome job Leanne! We can't wait to hear the stories from around the fire very soon.

#WisdomThoughWood #TraditionalTechniques #Whittling

The fabulous ladies from the UNICORN SHOP in Lindisfarne continue to support the CG tenant community program. Today Liz, Kathryn, Leanne and Theresa went to visit the shop, and collect a very generous donation for our tenant community program - and managed to spot a few bargains while we were there.

The Unicorn Shop is staffed by a team of 28 dedicated volunteers and it has been doing good deeds in the Hobart community for 47 years - what a sterling effort. Pop over to the store at 29 Lincoln St in Lindisfarne and check out the recycled bargains - and the unicorn collection.

Pictured are Noelene and Elaine (our Concierge, Shane's Mum!), two of the amazing team who look after the unicorns - and anyone else who comes through the door, with our CG tenants Theresa and Leanne.

CGT MD Liz Thomas caught lying down on the job and she thinks it's funny - humph! We think Liz looks way too comfortable - but it's good to see her and Miss Molly, our regular pooch on site visitor, giving the new bench seats at Campbell St the big thumbs (paws) up! Thanks Wisdom Through Wood - awesome job and thanks Tasmanian Community Fund for making them possible.

#LeadingByExample #TasmanianCommunityFund #WisdomThroughWood#EnjoyingSpring

Isn't "GOS", the penguin painted by our Common Ground tenant artists, looking handsome on display at the Mawson's Pavillon.

Another great example of deeds not words at CG Goulburn St today, when two wonderful NAB staff volunteered to roll up their sleeves and pitch in to help with CGT's latest conference satchel packing social enterprise. CG tenants Jill Douglas and Darren Evans are pictured here with NAB team members Emma Mahoney (centre top) and Linda Crispin. They were part of the all hands on deck effort that w...See More

— with Linda Crispin, Aged & Community Services Australia, Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobartand NAB.

HUGE shout out to DULUX Australia and especially Scott Jackman, Greg Marshall, Mark House and Nathan Hodskiss. This week, as part of the DULUX Tasmania Community Project, these truly great blokes gave up their time to volunteer to do some touch up painting around CG Goulburn St to make sure it is all in tip top condition. Business, government and the community working together to end chronic homelessness - that's what Common Ground is all about. Bonza effort fellas - thanks so much! #DULUX #Volunteer #ThankYou #Grateful

— withDulux Australia.

Life can be dice. A different roll or a different splash of the genetic soup, born into a different family or community, and any of us – you, me, the people we love – could have had a life of being unable to read. (Rosie Martin, Founder Chatter Matters Tasmania)

Chatter Matters - it's a cute name for a great concept that is all about finding out-of-the-square ways to promote communication, language and literacy skills. CGT is a leading edge solution and we just love working with other ground breaking Tasmanian initiatives.

Thanks to the generosity of the Tasmanian Community Fund, CGT has joined with CMT to launch the Ground Level Literacy Project, specifically designed to build CG tenant access to skills and information, independence and dignity.

We have been delighted to welcome Chatter Matters founder Rosie Martin (left) to Common Ground to work with tenants who are keen to develop their communication skills. Star team Matthew Mansfield (centre) and his equally enthusiastic coach, CGT Tenant Support Officer Cara Pullen, (right) are pictured working with Rosie.

#ChatterMattersTas #TasmanianCommunityFund #Literacy #Positive

Introducing Miss Molly, the Shih Tzu, who belongs to CGT Operations Manager Kathryn O'Keefe (pictured).

Molly has become a regular visitor to our Campbell St site as tenants explore the possibility of getting our very own Campbell St pooch. Molly has certainly been a real hit within the community as she is an ever willing volunteer for pats, walks and canine cuddles.

Kathryn reports Molly is exhausted after a day on the job, and we are honestly not sure if it's Molly or the tenants who are loving the visits more!

‪#‎petsatwork‬ ‪#‎petsastherapy‬

Our fabulously talented tenant artist, Melissa Lockley, has recently had several pieces of her artwork displayed at a draw life exhibition in Hobart.

Melissa recently reconnected with her art through the Clemente Program, a free university education program offered in partnership with the Australian Catholic University (ACU). It is open to any interested people, but especially those who have suffered setbacks in their lives.

Inspired by her success in graduating from the Clemente Program, Melissa is now enrolled for further study in UTas Fine Arts undergraduate courses.

We are so very proud of your achievements Melissa!

‪#‎Talented‬ ‪#‎Artist‬ ‪#‎LifeDrawing‬ ‪#‎TasCollegeoftheArts‬ ‪#‎EntrepotGallery‬‪#‎StVincentdePaul‬ ‪#‎ACU‬

The CGT Live Well Eat Well Program, made possible by the Tasmanian Community Fund grant, concluded last week.

The CG Goulburn St crew, under the guidance of local chef extraordinaire, Susie Odell, finished with an international flourish and cooked up a Thai curry feast and a Spanish paella.

At the conclusion of the program, tenants have learnt new ways to prepare great food and also had the chance to develop food handling and preparation skills - and had the opportunity to share great food in good company - bon appetite!

‪#‎TasmanianCommunityFund‬ ‪#‎EatWellLiveWell‬ ‪#‎ThankYou‬ ‪#‎Yum‬

A big shout out to Edward Gauden and the team at FoodBank Tasmania who support our CG Community Meal program by providing a great range of low cost pantry items. CG tenant James C was one of the tenants who visited FoodBank yesterday to stock up supplies, and then volunteered to set about getting the pantry in order ready for our Mid-Week Meal tonight - go James! ‪#‎FoodBankTasmania‬ ‪#‎EatWellLiveWell‬ ‪#‎Community‬ ‪#‎ThankYou‬

Common Ground Tasmania was one of the first CG sites in Australia and eight years on, Common Ground is now an Australia wide housing solution operating in six states and territories, with the first tenants moving in to the recently opened Canberra site over the past few months. Recently, CGT were represented at the 2016 Australian Common Ground Community of Practice by CGT Support Services Manager, Ant Fagan. He's the hairy one in the middle of the pic! This year the meeting was convened at the Adelaide Common Ground, and coincided with the 10yr anniversary of Common Ground Adelaide - the organisation that provided such great support to us when CGT was getting off the ground. The opportunity to come together and review the evolution of Common Ground in Australia over the past 10yrs was extremely valuable. Ant reports that one of the most thought provoking questions was in relation to the fidelity of the model and the future of the Common Ground in Australia as a provider of safe, secure and permanent housing to people who are experiencing chronic homelesseness.

CGT Chairman, Paul Lennon's, letter to the editor today highlights the impact of Hobart City Council's ongoing refusal to support the work CGT is doing to end chronic homelessness #waytogolaunceston #hobartcitycouncil #fairgo

Under the (very patient) watchful eye of Richard Colman from Fairbrother Asset Management - who generously donated his time, expertise and tools - tenants and volunteers rolled up their sleeves to make and install security screen doors on 14 north facing units at CG Goulburn St.

The screen doors where made possible with thanks to the generosity of our NAB Community Program.

It may have only been 2 degrees when we started, and not much warmer when we finished but it was a fun day - with everyone walking away with new skills and a great sense of achievement ... and the screen doors look fab too!

It was our Campbell St's site turn to throw a Biggest Morning Tea for The Cancer Council this morning.

Tenants, staff and guests gathered in the common room to enjoy a chat, a cuppa and great food prepared by the CG community, and to raise money for the Cancer Council.

We also invited some very special guests to attend. Lisa Fleming from the Cancer Council and the lovely ladies from The Unicorn Opportunity Shop in Lindisfarne. The Unicorn Shop is a great supporter of Common Ground,

they regularly supply much needed clothing to our tenant pop-up shop. Elaine and Penny from the store were invited to join our morning tea so we could say "thank you".

We are proud to announce that the Goulburn and Campbell St morning teas raised a total of $130 for the Cancer Council

With thanks to the support of the Tasmanian Community Fund, CGT has established an “Eat Well Live Well” program which is designed to encourage healthy eating, menu planning and food preparation skills within our community.

As part of the initiative, for 6 weeks, well known local chef Susie Odell, is working along side our tenants.

Each week Susie is teaching a new set of practical skills .... this week it was cooking for a group - with roast lamb and all the trimmings! Pictured are tenants Mario and Troy, with Susie and the roast, before it was served up for dinner last night at the regular mid week meal at Campbell St.

Special shout out to Dean and Dave at Bayside Meats who give us such a great deal on their fantastic meat - those guys just get what Common Ground is all about - legends

!

Our Goulburn St tenant community invited local businesses to join to help raise funds for the Cancer Coucil with a Biggest Morning Tea.

Pictured are just some of our tenants who enjoyed the spead, staff and Dan and Drew from Marcello's Pizza.

Dan and Drew bought along some delicious pizza to share and enjoyed a tour of the facilities including a peak into our art studio with resident artist Hedy Thomas.

Pamela Chamberlain (left) and Leanne Johnson (above right), who live at Common Ground, were our wonderful tenant volunteer crew, thank you ladies. Pamela also spent months planning and creating the room decorations that were especially chosen to be in the colours of International Women’s Day – white for purity, purple for dignity and selfrespect, and green for hope and new life.

Hope and new life – that is, after all whatCommon Ground is all about.

Sadly, we say farewell to one of our original Common Ground tenants this week, Aaron George. Aaron has been a part of our community life for nearly three years. Aaron’s friends at Common Ground salute his unique contribution to our lives and our community, his caring nature and generosity of spirit have left a lasting legacy.

Australian cricket legend, David Boon is a regular visitor to the Common Ground Tasmania (CGT) Campbell St site. David teams up with tenants to share their life experiences and, of course, talk cricket. David is pictured, below, with CG tenant Zeb Broomhall, a regular at the David Boon sessions - and an avid cricket fan. CGT acknowledges the great contribution David is making to our tenant community.