ISSUE #7
AUG 2026
INDI SYDNEY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
WELCOME TO OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
One of the things I enjoy about The Thread is that it gives us an opportunity to step outside our own part of the business and see what’s happening across UniLodge Living Group. In this month’s edition you’ll read about the team bringing University House at ANU back to life, creating a new form of hybrid operation and welcoming its first guests after the property had been closed for six years. You’ll also see how the team at Indi Sydney is approaching community – listening to residents, learning what works and creating experiences that genuinely bring people together. There are stories about our people too, from welcoming new talent and building connections with our international markets, to the team members who have volunteered as our Mental Health & Wellbeing Champions. What connects all of these stories is our people taking ownership, building relationships and continually looking for ways to do things better. I was also pleased to represent UniLodge at The Urban Developer’s PBSA Summit this month. It was a valuable opportunity to contribute to the conversation about the future of student accommodation and connect with others from across the sector. Finally, I encourage everyone to tune in to our Group Information Session, online via Teams on Wednesday, 2 September. This will be our first whole-of-business update since the change in ownership, and the Executive Team and I will share more about where we are today, our strategy and priorities, and what’s ahead. I hope you enjoy this month’s edition, and I look forward to seeing you online on 2 September. Regards,
Tomas Johnsson
CEO, UNILODGE LIVING GROUP
Celebrating 30 Years
THE THREAD | AUGUST 2026
REMINDER
Join our next Group Information Session Our Group Information Session is our whole-ofbusiness town hall, bringing teams from across UniLodge Living Group together to hear the latest business updates directly from our Executive Team. Our next session will take place online via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday, 2 September and will be our first since the recent change in ownership. In this 45-minute session, you’ll hear updates on our business and strategy, operations, and our people, followed by a live Q&A with the Executive Team. We encourage everyone who can to join us live. If you can’t make the session, a recording will be available afterwards on the intranet in the Company Compass Hub, so you can catch up at a time that suits you.
Celebrating 30 Years
Wednesday, 2 September 9:00am – Perth 10:30am – Adelaide & Darwin 11:00am – Brisbane, Sydney & Melbourne 1:00pm – New Zealand Online via Microsoft Teams | 45 minutes
CONNECTED COMMUNITIES
THE SECRET INGREDIENT TO BUILDING COMMUNITY? LISTENING You may have noticed the pasta-making in action on this month’s front cover. But there’s more to that photo than fresh pasta. It captures something Kelly Jones, Resident Life & Community Manager at Indi Sydney, and the team are focused on every day: creating experiences that bring residents together and help turn a building into a community. And that doesn’t mean filling the calendar with events. It means listening to residents, understanding what they value and creating experiences they genuinely want to be part of. A recent pasta-making workshop is a perfect example. Thirty minutes. That’s all it took for the workshop to sell out! Residents gathered on the rooftop to learn something new, make fresh pasta, share lunch and spend time getting to know their neighbours.
A sold out event isnt the only measure of success. It’s more about whether the residents who attended genuinely enjoyed the experience and would want to participate in something similar again. The response was so positive that the team followed it with a pizza-making workshop – which residents later described as “the best event Indi had ever run”. It’s a simple example of community building in action: listen, learn and build on what works. The team tracks bookings and attendance, but resident feedback is just as important. Hands-on experiences have proven particularly popular, while regular favourites such as yoga, Pilates, sound baths and the coffee cart give residents something familiar to look forward to. As Kelly explains: “We want residents to feel connected to the building and to each other, rather than simply running events for the sake of having something on the calendar.” And sometimes, creating that connection can start with something as simple as making pasta together.
Vote for Indi Sydney. Indi Sydney has been nominated in the 2026 Property Council Innovation & Excellence Awards and they'd love your support. Cast your vote here
THE THREAD | AUGUST 2026
ENGAGED TEAMS
MAKING INTERNAL COMMS CLEARER We’ve recently introduced our new Internal Communications Policy, designed to make it easier for everyone to know where to share information and where to find it. As we continue to grow, so has the amount of information moving across our business. By being clearer about the role of our refreshed intranet, Viva Engage platform, All Staff Email and Teams, we can start to reduce duplication, protect people’s time and make important information easier to find. We know “clear is kind” , a simple principle often shared by Brené Brown. Clear communication helps people understand what they need to know, where to go for more information and when action is required. One of the biggest changes we want to encourage is less duplication across channels. Rather than publishing the same information everywhere, we’ll use the most appropriate channel and, where needed, point people back to the intranet for the latest information. Use the guide alongside this article as a quick reminder of what goes where.
Celebrating 30 Years
The provision of multi-channel internal communication platforms, underpinned by clear guidelines and governance frameworks, is a key enabler of our strategic pillar focused on building engaged teams.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS STRATEGIC PILLAR, VIEW THE BUSINESS PLAN ON THE INTRANET
💬 RIGHT 🔎 PLACE. 📧 💬 RIGHT MESSAGE.
With our refreshed intranet making it easier to find the information you need, we've introduced our Internal Communications Policy to provide greater clarity around how we use our internal channels. The simple principle? Different channels have different jobs.
Want to connect or join the conversation? Head to Viva Engage. Viva Engage = conversation, connection and participation. Looking for information to do your job? Start with the intranet. Intranet = information, resources and your source of truth. And remember... All Staff Email For important, business-critical information that everyone needs to know. Teams Chat For quick questions, collaboration and getting things done with your team.
→ As a quick rule of thumb: Need to find it? Intranet Want to discuss it? Viva Engage Everyone must know it? All Staff Email Need to get it done? Teams
Not sure where something belongs? Or spotted something missing on the intranet? The GM, Communications can help. The Intranet and Viva Engage can both be assessed through your Microsoft Teams. The intranet also has links to Viva - use the QR code below to access.
THE THREAD | AUGUST 2026
MOBILISATION
BRINGING UNIVERSITY HOUSE BACK TO LIFE Six years ago Canberra’s University House, at the Australian National University (ANU), closed following a severe hailstorm. The storm caused extensive damage to the roof and water damage throughout the building. What followed was a significant re-furbishment, restoring the property from top to bottom and preparing it for a new chapter. While University House continues to be managed by ANU, the reopening marks the first time the University has outsourced some of its operations, creating a new partnership and a very different mobilisation for our ACT team. More than one kind of stay University House is a little different in its setup. The property brings together 97 hotel rooms & 60 student rooms, alongside a café, bar, functions and events offering. Our team is responsible for the accommodation operations, working closely alongside other teams responsible for F&B, events and the café, as well as outsourced housekeeping. That means opening the doors wasn't simply about preparing rooms. It meant bringing several teams, systems and ways of working together to create one seamless experience for guests.
Celebrating 30 Years
Building the team while building the operation This was an especially fast-paced mobilisation. With contractual negotiations compressing the lead time, the team had a short window to recruit, train and prepare for opening. Around 11 new team members joined University House, including two managers, four front office receptionists, a night audit team and casual team members. For many, hotel operations were also new territory. To help get everyone ready, Leah Bassett joined the ACT team to lead an intensive week of hotel-specific training, covering new systems, operational processes and how the different teams across University House would work together. The first guests arrive The team moved almost immediately from training into a soft launch, welcoming enquiries and their first guests while continuing to establish processes, solve problems and learn together in real time. In its first week, around 10 of the 97 hotel rooms were already occupied, an encouraging early sign of interest in the restored property. Congratulations to everyone who has helped get University House to this point, particularly our new team on the ground.
University House at Glance 1954 – University House first opened 6 years – closed following significant storm and hail damage 1,600 – original Fred Ward furniture pieces repaired and returned Heritage restored – including original parquetry, copper detailing and architectural features Hotel rooms, postgraduate student accommodation, function spaces, café and bar A new chapter – UniLodge Living Group is now supporting key hospitality and accommodation operations.
THE THREAD | AUGUST 2026
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
FROM CANADA TO AUSTRALIA: MEET SAMAYA KOCHIS Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you fromand what brought you to Australia? I’m originally from London, Ontario. It’s right between Toronto and Detroit, so it’s always easy to go and see a concert or hockey game! I’m going into my second year at the University of Calgary, where I’m studying Economics. I came to Australia in early May for this internship and I’ve had a great time over the past few months.
Over the past few months, Samaya Kochis has joined our Brisbane team as a Business Intern, working closely with our People Team across a range of projects. Before she headed home to Canada, we caught up with Samaya to hear about her experience, what she’s learned and some of the highlights along the way.
“The most rewarding project I worked on was creating a learning module for Pastoral Care in New Zealand. I learned a lot about what goes into creating a training course and about Pastoral Care. It’s a good feeling to know that something I worked on is helping people.”
Celebrating 30 Years
What was your role with UniLodge Living Group, and what types of projects did you get involved in? I was a Business Intern and worked mostly with the People Team. I was involved in lots of different projects, but I spent most of my time working with the Talent Acquisition team and helping with the rollout of our new Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). What was the most rewarding project you worked on during your time here? The most rewarding project I worked on was creating a learning module for Pastoral Care in New Zealand. I learned a lot about what goes into creating a training course and about Pastoral Care. It’s a good feeling to know that something I worked on is helping people. What surprised you most about working in Australia? Luckily, the work culture is very similar in both countries, but it’s definitely nice to be able to go for a coffee walk in winter without having to bundle up and walk in -20°C weather!
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What’s been your favourite memory from your time here? My favourite memory is the people I met! Everyone in the office was so welcoming and kind, which made moving here so much easier. I’m especially grateful for everyone in the People Team and I’m going to miss our coffee walks lots. A close second is my trip to Byron Bay. I got to check it off my bucket list! In three words, how would you describe your internship experience? Exciting, educational, fun!
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
MEET BURANO: BUILDING CONNECTIONS ACROSS ASIA Based in China, Burano is helping us strengthen our communication and connection with international residents across Asia, particularly students. With a background in the agent sector and previous experience at UHomes, one of our largest agent partners, she brings a strong understanding of the market, the student journey and the importance of trusted relationships.
Burano Based: China Focus: International student recruitment and partnerships Markets: Asia Brings: Local knowledge, language and agentsector experience Long-term opportunity: Growing our direct recruitment channels
Can you tell us a little about your role and what you focus on day-to-day? I’m based in China, but my role now involves working with our agent partners globally. A big part of my day-to-day work is acting as a bridge between our agents and property teams, helping both sides communicate and work together effectively. I support agents with everything from booking enquiries and commission reconciliation to contract questions, while helping our property teams understand and respond to their needs. I also manage our WeChat channel, respond to student enquiries and help connect international students with the right UniLodge property. You have a background working with agents. How does that help in your current role? Before joining UniLodge, I worked in the agent sector, including with UHomes, which is one of our major partners. That experience helps me understand how agents work, what students are looking for, and how decisions are made in different markets. Why is it important for us to have someone based in Asia? In terms of supporting our Asian stakeholders being based in the region means there is no time difference or different holidays, which ensures we respond more quickly to students and agents. Having local knowledge and the language makes a big difference. What do you enjoy most about working with UniLodge Living Group? I enjoy being part of an international team and helping students from different countries find a place to live while they study. It’s rewarding to know that the work we do helps make the transition to studying overseas easier and more comfortable for them.
THE THREAD | AUGUST 2026
IT & SYSTEMS
MISSED THE COPILOT CHAT FUNDAMENTALS TRAINING? Here are some of the key takeaways to help you get more from Copilot in your day-today work. Start with a better prompt The quality of your prompt can make a big difference to the quality of the response. Give Copilot enough information to understand what you need. A useful prompt can include: Goal – What do you want Copilot to do? Context – What background does it need? Source – Is there information or a file it should work from? Expectations – What should the final result look or sound like? Instead of: Write an email about our upcoming event. Try: Draft a friendly, professional email to staff reminding them about our upcoming event. Keep it under 150 words, include the date and time, and finish with a clear call to action. Think of Copilot as your starting point for new ideas and summaries. You can then refine the response by asking follow-up questions or giving it more direction. Keep the conversation going You don't have to get the perfect result from your first prompt. Try: “Make this shorter.” “Give me three alternatives.” “Put this into a table.” “Make the tone more conversational.” “What have I missed?”
Celebrating 30 Years
Use it securely When accessing Copilot Chat, sign in with your UniLodge Living Group account and continue to follow our policies and responsible AI practices when working with company information. Explore what's available Copilot Chat can be accessed across web, mobile and desktop, with features including recent chats, prompt ideas and the ability to upload files to help provide additional context. Want to see Copilot in action? Watch the full Microsoft Copilot Chat Fundamentals Training found on the IT hub on the intranet for practical demonstrations, prompting techniques and more ways to put Copilot to work.
Microsoft Copilot is ULG’s approved AI productivity tool as it combines enterprise-grade security, privacy, and compliance with seamless integration across our Microsoft 365 tools. You can find our AI Policy in the Document Hub on the Intranet.
IT & SYSTEMS
AI SAFETY STARTS WITH YOU: 5 KEY REMINDERS One of the biggest AI security risks facing organisations today isn't the AI itself, it's staff unknowingly sharing sensitive information with unapproved AI tools. As AI becomes part of our everyday work, it's important to use it safely and responsibly. Here are a few key reminders from the training: 1. Think before you paste. Never enter personal information, confidential data, trade secrets or internal-only documents into public AI tools. Assume anything entered could become public. 2. Use approved AI tools only. Only use AI platforms and browser extensions that have been vetted and approved by our IT team (refer to our AI Policy here). Unapproved tools ("Shadow AI") can introduce significant security risks. 3. Always review AI-generated content. AI can make mistakes. Never copy and paste AI output directly into reports, communications, presentations or other deliverables without human review. 4. Verify unusual requests. If you receive an unexpected voice, video or AI-generated request involving sensitive information, confirm it through a trusted secondary channel before taking action. 5. Report concerns immediately. If you accidentally share sensitive information with a public AI tool or notice suspicious AI activity, notify the IT team straight away. Acting quickly can make all the difference.
Remember: AI is a powerful productivity tool, but your judgement is the ultimate firewall.
Have you completed the training yet? If not, set aside a few minutes this week to finish it and help keep our data safe.
THE THREAD | AUGUST 2026
SAFETY
THIS MONTH'S INTRANET SPOTLIGHT: THE SAFETY HUB
YOUR ONE-STOP SHOP FOR SAFETY RESOURCES The Safety Hub is your central source for workplace health and safety information. From policies, procedures and forms to practical guides, safety updates and product recalls, you'll find the resources you need to help keep yourself and others safe at work. The hub also provides access to wellbeing support information, including the Sonder app for 24/7 personal safety, medical and wellbeing assistance
click here to visit the Safety Hub
Celebrating 30 Years
Need to report an incident? A direct link to the Incident Report Form is available in the Quick Links section on the intranet homepage, making it easy to report incidents as soon as they occur. Seen a hazard or near miss? Report it If you identify anything that could lead to injury, illness, property damage or another safety risk, please use the Report an Incident tile on the intranet homepage. Every team member has access to report a hazard or incident. Early reporting helps us address issues before they become incidents and contributes to a safer workplace for everyone.
SAFETY
STATE OF HEALTH REVIEW: A FOCUS ON AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND Following on from our June review of UniLodge Australia, this month our State of Health Review turns to Aotearoa New Zealand, with a special acknowledgement to 55 Symonds, which achieved an outstanding score of 100%! The State of Health Review is one of the ways we check that our properties are operating consistently, safely and in line with our standards, while identifying opportunities to strengthen how we work. More importantly, the review helps turn what we see across our properties into practical action. The findings give our operational and support teams a clearer picture of where things are working well, where additional guidance or resources may be helpful, and where we can continue improving our systems and processes.
QUARTERLY H&S REVIEW Alongside the State of Health results, our Quarterly Health and Safety Review provides another important opportunity to learn from incidents across all our operations. While the numbers help us identify trends, the focus is always on what we can learn from them and the simple actions we can take to help keep ourselves and each other safe. This quarter, trips involving stationary objects such as stairs and furniture were the most common occurrence. It’s a timely reminder that everyday tasks can present risks too. Take your time, stay aware of your surroundings and never carry something that blocks your view.
Some key results from the Quarterly Health and Safety review across all our properties include: 3 incidents where an employee required first aid 8 incidents where an employee required professional medical assistance 4 injuries resulting in an employee missing up to 3 days of work 1 injury resulting in an employee missing 4 or more days of work Most common occurrence was people tripping over stationary items such as stairs or furniture. A reminder to not rush your work and never carry an item that blocks your view.
THE THREAD | AUGUST 2026
ENGAGED TEAMS
INTRODUCING THE MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING CHAMPIONS (MHWB)
Adele Prudames RGM, VIC (BTR)
Andrea Roth PMO UniLodge Darwin
Ashlee Harrison Community Manager Portfolio UOM
Bradley Brown RGM, VIC (Student)
Christie Temesi RGM, QLD & NT
Evan Moran PMO, University of Canterbury - Ilam
Jacob Waitere GM, Portfolio Uni of Canterbury
James Berlin Talent Development Advisor
Karin Scheuerle CSC Tupuārangi
Kimberly Setosta Talent Development Officer
Samson Truong People Administrator
Nivedita Navare Leasing Manager WeAreLiving Preston
Natasha Beattie RLM, UniLodge Brisbane City
Roland Pluschke Nicolette Hulme Finance Manager Marketing Manager
Swathi Mahanta CSC, UniLodge Melbourne City
Sonam Giri CSM, UniLodge Curtin
Caleb Whybrow GM, Portfolio UniLodge UC
Paula Hagan GM, Comms
Sarah Cumming GM, Portfolio UniLodge @ ANU
Meredith Denvir Talent Development Manager Lead
Lynda Eather GM UniLodge SCU
Taylor Siebel CSM, UniLodge Metro Adelaide
Deanna Constantine GM, Portfolio La Trobe University
Our Mental Health & Wellbeing Champions help foster a positive and supportive workplace by promoting wellbeing initiatives, encouraging participation, and connecting team members with available support and resources.
Celebrating 30 Years
VIVA ENGAGE SPOTLIGHT
QUIZ TIME
GET MOVING THIS SEPTEMBER
Sign up your team of 4 for Steptember and raise $$ for Cerebral Palsy
READ HERE
READ HERE
Trauma Teddies knitting workshop at UniLodge Lincoln House
READ HERE
POTLUCK
SHARING EVENT ATTENDANCE
Thanks to Sean Fitzgerald for giving insights into the PBSA Summit!
READ HERE
CHARITY WORK
CALL OR NO CALL
What is this all about? See Elise’s post to find out more
Join The Weekly Quiz Community on Viva for a fun mental workout
READ HERE
Jacob and the UoC shared some pics of their potluck and special treats
READ HERE
THE THREAD | AUGUST 2026
CULTURE
JOIN UNILODGE IN NEW ZEALAND'S BIGGEST MĀORI LANGUAGE WEEK COMPETITION Kia ora team, We're excited to invite all UniLodge team members to take part in the Whakataetae Reo Māori 2026, Kōtui's annual online Māori Language Week competition. 14-18 September 2026 Free to participate Accessible on all devices Open to all UniLodge team members As part of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori | Māori Language Week, you'll gain access to an online learning experience designed to help you learn and engage with te reo Māori. Throughout the week, participants earn points by completing learning activities and answering questions. Not only is this a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Māori language and culture, but UniLodge will also be competing alongside organisations across Aotearoa New Zealand for: Highest total points earned Highest average points per learner Whether you're brand new to te reo Māori or already have some knowledge, everyone is encouraged to join in and give it a go.
Celebrating 30 Years
👉 Ready to participate?
Scan the QR code in the image below or register here: Register for the Māori Language Week Competition
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Important: When completing the registration form, please select "UniLodge" as your organisation so your points count towards the UniLodge team score. Let's come together to learn, celebrate and see how far Team UniLodge can climb the leaderboard! Ka whāiti te tai, ka pāo te tōrea. Seize the moment!
TALENT DEVELOPMENT
ACADEMY TALENT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY We’re continuing to invest in how our people learn, grow and build their careers at ULG, with the launch of the Academy Talent Development Strategy 2026–2027. At the heart of the strategy is Journey our framework for helping team members better understand the capabilities they need today, while exploring where their career could take them next. Over the year ahead, Academy will focus on strengthening capability across the business, making learning easier to access and creating clearer development and career pathways.
This includes continued investment in leadership development, enhancements to LearningHub and better insights to help us understand where our development efforts can have the greatest impact. Importantly, these priorities have also been shaped by feedback from our people, helping us focus our investment where it matters most. Keep an eye on the intranet and viva engage for more information or reach out to the Talent Development team for more info.
Your development. Your Journey.
THE THREAD | AUGUST 2026
STEP UP THIS STEPTEMBER
Celebrating 30 Years
DID YOU KNOW
Please note this poster is applicable to ULG team members only.
THE THREAD | AUGUST 2026
MARKETING ASSET LIBRARY ...or mal for short! How to upload your assets
1. Scan the QR Code 2. Drag and drop your files 3. Enter your email and send away Viewing this on your laptop? Click here.
What can I upload?
Photos, videos - anything!
Who can upload?
No login is required. Scan the QR code get started.
Have questions? We’d love to help! Please message your property’s dedicated Marketing Manager for assistance. marketing@unilodge.com.au Celebrating 30 Years
UniLodge Living Group acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we live, work and create communities across Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and recognise the enduring cultures, histories and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We also acknowledge the Indigenous peoples, local communities and cultural heritage of the countries across New Zealand and Asia where we operate, and we are committed to building respectful relationships wherever we work.
Thank you for reading! 07 3233 3700
X unilodgelivinggroup.com.au
L22, 100 Creek Street, Brisbane QLD