Housing helps family find happiness

Published: 

10 August 2021 1:44PM

For social housing tenant Amanda, finding new housing in Cooktown has provided a new start for her and her family.

Amanda said her family loves their new home.

“When we moved here, my heart was full of joy and the kids were excited,” Amanda said.

“We had been on the social housing wait list and were told it could take quite a while to find a property, but the timing was right, and we managed to get a house.”

Amanda and her family moved to Cooktown after struggling to set up a routine and manage tenancy obligations in Cairns.

Staff from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Housing in Cairns and the Hub at Cooktown, worked with Amanda to connect her with a family service who helped her to set boundaries, house rules and a routine for her 4 children.

“We now have a routine for the kids and our house rules are on the wall where everyone can see them,” said Amanda.

“When the kids’ friends come over, they show them the house rules and know everyone has to follow them.

“We have chores they need to do every day and they’re learning to respect our home and have pride it.

“I tell the kids that we need to look after our home and keep it in good condition.

“The kids had some friends sleep over recently and they said that our home is beautiful, and they liked it.

“When I asked my son how he felt when he heard that, he told me he felt happy,” she said.

Amanda is also encouraging her kids’ interests and teaching them how to cook.

“They like baking cakes and cooking roast dinners and stews,” she said.

“Sometimes on the weekend, they’ll make me a big breakfast - I really like it when they do that.”

With a firm routine in place, Amanda is now finding some spare time to enjoy activities by herself and with her children.

“My grandma was an artist and when I paint, I feel a connection to her,” Amanda said.

“I’m now teaching my kids how to paint, and I’ve told them that when you paint with love, it will come out perfect,” she said.

“I also like to go fishing with the kids and it actually helps me with my artwork.

“When I’m fishing and painting it’s peaceful - it relaxes your mind, it slows down your thoughts and relieves the stress.

“I figure out what I am going to paint next when I go fishing. If I see a beautiful landscape, I memorise them and paint them,” she said.

Amanda’s new home has provided happiness to her whole family.

“The people are good and they’re friendly in Cooktown,” she said.

“The kids have made some friends and I’ve joined a women’s group where we talk about lots of different things.

“We’re very happy in our home and community in Cooktown.” Amanda said.