CHSA Board:

Bruce Terry, President   (photo)

Graeme Northcott, Vice President

Directors:

Ian Downing

Colin Harmer

Keith Henning

ASSOCIATION’S OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Association shall be to render services to and act on behalf of component societies in the following ways:  

• to assist in arranging low cost housing finance to low income home buyers

• to procure the passing of such legislation or the adoption of such administrative action in matters affecting its component societies as may from time to time be called for;

• to compile statistical, accounting, actuarial, legal, financial, architectural and other data for the information of its component societies;

• to investigate and report upon any matter affecting the operation of Co-operative Housing Societies;

• to issue or to arrange for the issue periodically of a publication devoted primarily to matters of interest to component societies or their members and to distribute same amongst its component societies and their members;

• to procure legal advice and to make legal action in any matter affecting component societies or their members in their relationship with such component societies;

• if required by a component society, to supervise its operations and to arrange for the audit of its accounts;

• to join with The Australian Council of Housing Societies and with any other body having similar objects to the said Council for the purpose of sponsoring, promoting and encouraging co-operative housing for the people of Australia;

• to acquire shares in any company or other bodies specified in Section 36 (1) of the Act which has undertaken to render special services to the Association in consideration of such acquisition;

• to render such other services to its component societies as the Board may determine from time to time;

• to ensure that members maintain a professional standard of conduct in accordance with the Association By-Laws.

WALLACE G. POOLEY & KEITH E. DOWNING MEMORIAL TRUST FUND AWARD

The Wallace G. Pooley & Keith E. Downing Memorial Trust Fund Award commemorates the exceptional services provided over a period of 43 years by Wallace Pooley and Keith Downing in their capacity as honorary general secretaries to the Co-operative Housing Societies Association of New South Wales.

Wallace George Pooley was a dedicated man, virtually devoting his life to the advancement of the Terminating & Building Society Movement, as it was known before the change to Housing Societies. The strength of the Movement today is largely due to the remarkable drive he gave to this industry in its formative years. From the Association’s inception in 1937 he acted as its honorary secretary until his death in 1954.

He was an extraordinarily able organiser with a background of newspaper reporting. He was the chief executive responsible for helping the government to set up Co-operative Building Societies with government guarantees under the Co-operation Act of 1923.

Wallace Pooley also formed the largest group of Building Societies in New South Wales and acted as its secretary until his death at a relatively early age. His premature death was a great loss and one of his dearest wishes was the stabilisation of the building industry and the encouragement of young people into it.

Keith Edward Downing, a chartered accountant, was a thoughtful and steady man with great enthusiasm for the building society movement. In 1954 he was appointed honorary general secretary and held the position until his death in 1980. He also had been actively involved with Terminating Building Societies since their inception in 1937 in New South Wales from which time he was also the founding secretary of the Metropolitan Homes Group of Co-operative Housing Societies.

In 1956 he was one of the chief architects in making the services of Co-operative Building Societies available to government under the Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement. Over the years that followed, this arrangement enabled the provision of a major flow of home purchase funds to the co-operative movement greatly assisting low and moderate income earners purchase homes throughout Australia.

Keith Downing was one of the co-founders of the Australian Council of Co-operative Housing Societies, the national peak body, and served as its honorary secretary for many years. Also, for a number of years, he was vice president of The International Union of Building Societies and Savings Associations, ultimately being awarded honorary life membership of the International Union.

His wise counsel to the Industry and the desire to facilitate affordable housing finance was well recognized by those who knew him.

Following their deaths funds, were donated by member societies of the Assocation and those who had worked with them which enabled the creation of a Memorial Trust. In accordance with the terms of the deed the Board of the Co-operative Housing Societies Association of New South Wales decided that the most appropriate way to perpetuate the memory of such visionary and active personalities was to create an award recognising those young Australians who are furthering their knowledge with the object of continuing the visions started by Wallace Pooley and Keith Downing.

This annual award will be presented to two outstanding students this year, nominated by Master Builders Association, Newcastle

Nominee: Callan Senigalliesi

4th year Painter & Decorator

Callan started his apprenticeship as a Painter & Decorator Apprentice with the Newcastle Master Builders on the 14^th January 2004.

Callan’s aptitude toward his work and his Tafe studies have been excellent throughout his entire time of his apprenticeship, being at the top of his classes in these years of study, achieving mostly distinctions & credits.

Callan is still with the same host employer (TS & GC James Painters & Decorators) with whom he started, the host is extremely impressed with Callan’s work stating that he already possesses many tradesman qualities.

Callan will undoubtedly be a nomination for our Newcastle Master Builders Apprentice of the year for 2007, and also a 2008 H.R.A.T.A apprentice of the year.

The NMBA Group Training would like to also thank TS & GC James Painting & Decorating for the outstanding training and support they have given Callan.

Nominee: Mr Christopher Stephens

4th year Bricklaying Apprentice

Christopher started his apprenticeship in Bricklaying with the Newcastle Master Builders on the 04/02/04

Christopher’s Tafe studies have been excellent throughout his apprenticeship being at the top of class in every year of his study, achieving mostly “By Advanced Standing” and Distinctions.

Christopher has worked with only his current host employers (P&M Ferry Bricklaying) since he started.  His host has an extremely high opinion of Christopher’s attitude and work ethic.

Also when Christopher finishes his apprenticeship, he is looking at starting his own Bricklaying business in partnership with his Brother, who is also a Bricklayer and served his apprenticeship with us the Newcastle MBA group Training.

Christopher will undoubtedly be a nomination for our Newcastle Master Builders Apprentice of the year for 2007 and the H.R.A.T.A 2008 awards.

We also would like to thank P&M Ferry Bricklaying for their outstanding Training and support they have shown Christopher.