CEO Newsletter - UniLodge Living Group - Issue 4

Dear Team,

WELCOME TO OUR

Monthly Newsletter

October gives us another important opportunity to reflect on wellbeing After coming together for R U OK? Day last month, we now look ahead to World Mental Health Day on Friday, 10 October This is a reminder that checking in with each other and looking after ourselves really matters

Creating safe, supportive environments is part of who we are, and it’s often the small conversations and acts of care that make the biggest difference

Being active is another way to look after your personal health Personally, I love most sports and regularly go mountain biking or play the latest craze – pickle ball

Also, any activity on the ocean or in the mountains clears my mind and charges my battery.

We also have plenty to celebrate this month A big thank you to everyone involved in the recent mobilisations. Your hard work, flexibility and focus are what make these transitions such a success

Finally, if you weren’t able to attend our recent Group Information Session, I encourage you to watch the recording It’s a great way to stay across the exciting growth and opportunities ahead for all of us

Thank you for continuing to bring energy, kindness, and commitment to your roles It’s your efforts that make our communities thrive

Warm regards,

Tomas Johnsson Chief Executive

Officer

Add to your calendar:

10 Oct - World Mental Health Day

19-25 Oct - Hidden Disabilities Awareness Week 20 Oct - Diwali

Keep an eye out for new compliance training

World Mental Health Day & Mental Health Awareness Week

This October, we recognise both World Mental Health Day (10 October) and Mental Health Awareness Week across New Zealand and parts of Australia The global theme for World Mental Health Day, “Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies” highlights the importance of ensuring everyone can access the support they need, especially in times of crisis.

In Australia, Mental Health Australia’s theme “Connect with your community” encourages us to strengthen the relationships and places that help us feel safe, supported, and seen Whether it’s your friends, colleagues, or local group, connection plays a vital role in our wellbeing

In New Zealand, Mental Health Awareness Week aligns with the nationwide wellbeing campaign Top Up Together, inspired by the Five Ways to Wellbeing:

Me whakawhanaunga / Connect

Tukua / Give

Me kori tonu / Be Active

Me aro tonu / Take Notice

Me ako tonu / Keep Learning

Both messages share a common focus: we are stronger when we support one another Taking time to connect, share, listen, and care for those around us can have a powerful impact on our mental health, both at work and beyond.

Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi With your food basket and mine, the people will flourish

Mental Health & Wellbeing Training

Training on mental health and wellbeing is now available to all team members as part of this month’s compliance focus - because at UniLodge Living Group, we genuinely care about supporting our people

Everyone will be assigned three short learning modules that will take up to 20 min in total Take the opportunity to refresh your knowledge and continue building a workplace where everyone feels supported

Natalie Tells Us More About Wellness Wednesdays

As part of this month’s focus on Mental Health and Wellbeing, we’re shining a light on one of our team-led initiatives that’s been going strong for over a decade “Wellness Wednesdays” Natalie Johnston, Property Manager - Operations at Yukeembruk Village shared on how it all began and why it matters.

What’s the story behind Wellness Wednesdays?

Originally started by Peter Warrington in 2014/15 as a simple way to bring some energy into mid-week meetings, Wellness Wednesdays began with stretching and trivia during Wednesday morning briefings During COVID, Rachael Cumming and James Jeffress took it online to help the team stay connected and it evolved into what we know today - a monthly wellness initiative shared across property managers, Residential Life, and reservations teams Each property manager now runs their own version with their onsite team

Why are initiatives like this important? We need to practice what we preach Working in a uni environment, mental wellbeing is a major focus, so it’s important that we embed this into our own workplace too It helps break down stigma, encourages connection in meaningful ways, and lets people showcase their talents Not all activities are everyone’s cup of tea but it is about us supporting and appreciating what each other like to do reduce stress

What kinds of activities have you introduced?

From coffee walks, stretching, yoga or fitness classes to trivia, bake offs (like our Vegemite edition), Spotify Playlists and indoor plant sessions, and even creative workshops like bracelet making and Christmas crafts, every session looks a little different! The team mixes free, low-cost, and self-paced options to make it inclusive and accessible for everyone

We have a roster to ensure everyone who wants to lead can take a turn

Any tips for other teams who want to start?

Start with simple or free activities such as stretches, trivia, or a quick 15-minute walk in the sun The stretching was a great because we all had a laugh when someone (most of us) couldn’t touch our toes

You all have champions in your teams who are passionate about different things, so give them the space to share that passion. The key is making it fun, low-pressure, and something that brings people together

How Will You Top Up Together?

We’d love to see how you and your teams got involved in World Mental Health Day and Mental Health Awareness Week! Whether it was a morning tea, group walk, mindfulness moment, or something creative like Twin Dolphin Hall’s Hula Hoop Challenge Every small action helps strengthen connection and wellbeing in our communities. Share your photos and stories on Viva Engage, and we’ll feature a few highlights in the next newsletter!

World Mental Wellness Resources

Looking for ways to prioritise your wellbeing or support others? Explore these helpful guides and tools from trusted organisations:

Australia: Mental Health Australia Supporter Toolkit

New Zealand: Mental Health Awareness Week Resources

World Mental Health Day: Global Toolkit

Practical Ways To Get Involved

Go for a coffee/matcha break with a colleague

Reach out to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while.

Join a team activity or start your own (like the Wellness Wednesday initiatives)

Share a kind word, its a simple thing that could really make someone’s day

Go for a walk or move in a way that feels good!

Read a book or listen to a podcast

Reflect on what you’re grateful for today!

Need more inspiration? Click here for a flashback to Bradley’s actions for mental health)

How Our Teams Connected for R U OK? Day

Last month’s R U OK? Day activities were such a great reminder of how small moments of connection make a big difference Charles at Student Living Lygon shared insights from the Leah Calnan Training, UniLodge Metro Adelaide celebrated with cupcakes and cookies, and Kurrajong Village’s cuddled adorable puppies (links available through pics below)

Its wonderful to see the creativity, care and community spirit our teams bring to these moments And remember that you don’t need to wait for a special day to check in. There are resources to help you continue these conversations throughout the year And support is available through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Celebrating Future Leaders: McCall MacBain Scholarships

Our stakeholder John McCall MacBain (through the McCall MacBain Foundation) continues to invest in education and leadership development, shaping the next generation of changemakers. His contributions are making a global impact, most recently supporting the University of Melbourne and the University of Auckland, both of which we proudly partner with to manage student accommodation operations

We are pleased to see Australian scholar Nina Zepcan, who has been awarded a 2025 McCall MacBain Scholarship at McGill University Nina, from Glenroy (VIC), recently completed a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, Linguistics and Applied Linguistics and a Diploma in Italian Studies at the University of Melbourne. During her studies, she helped establish the university’s Critical Ethnography Lab, researching the intersection between AI, emotion and anthropology, and manages a charity’s summer tutoring program She will now pursue a Master of Information Studies (MISt) at McGill’s Faculty of Arts

The Foundation recently announced a $4 million endowed donation to sustain the Kupe Leadership Scholarship programme at the University of Auckland, ensuring long-term support for exceptional postgraduate students across New Zealand

Since its establishment in 2018, the Kupe Leadership Scholarship has supported 111 students through financial assistance, mentoring and leadership development reflecting the Foundation’s enduring commitment to cultivating future leaders and strengthening our shared communities.

At UniLodge Living Group, we are proud to align with organisations that champion education, leadership and social impact, values that reflect our purpose of creating

Stay Connected with the Res Life Round Up

Our new Residential Life Community on Viva Engage is the place to share, celebrate, and stay inspired by all the incredible events happening across our properties

From Red Frogs, promo day trips, and ball season updates to pretzel making, lantern painting, mooncakes, henna nights, mocktails, DIY tote bags, and cocktail parties, there’s l something worth celeb

Join the Res Life Com Engage and help creat experiences for our res

Use this Viva community space to: Reflect on highlights and successes Brainstorm new ideas to enhance the resident experience

Share photos, tips, and inspiration from your UniLodge resident events

Brisbane Strata

Celebrating One Year of th A MESSAGE FROM ELOISE GILBER

Melissa Tracey, RGM for Adelaide and now Brisbane too, regularly visits the teams, and recently captured this photo of the Strata team after a lunch meeting

Read more on Viva Engage

The Community Support Officer program the first large-scale model of after-hours 18+ permanent staff and 20+ casuals, the campus of more than 5,000 beds Achievi brings an exceptional mix of backgrounds counselling nursing teaching and more T

Digital CheckIn

Essence Suites Taringa successfully introduced a new digital check in system Congrats to the team for implementing this new process and becoming more sustainable

Share Your Milestones With Us

Check out the new Viva Engage community page: Life Moments! A place to celebrate life’s special moments together such as engagements, achievements, new arrivals, and everything in between

Read the latest “Get to Know Your Leaders” series with Eloise Gilbert sharing her military background, what she gets up to in her spare time and her future goals.

Read more on Viva Engage Guess Who?

Celebrating One Year A MESSAGE FROM ELOISE G

Back in August, the Melbourne strata team posted this fun photo on Viva of their meeting discussing the importance of team work and providing high levels of customer service Thanks for sharing! Melbourne Strata

The Community Support Officer pr the first large-scale model of after18+ permanent staff and 20+ casua campus of more than 5,000 beds A brings an exceptional mix of backgr counselling, nursing, teaching, and m e

Team Bonding at Toowong

Congrats to Team Toowong completing the 5km Bridge to Brisbane run. We love seeing teammates getting active together and cheering each other on outside of work

Blossom

Rooftop

In August, 70 residents from 6 Melbourne properties (VU, Lincoln House, Royal Melbourne, CBD, Central and City) cam together for a rooftop night out with pizza, nonalcoholic drinks and a live DJ

Preparing for Sonder -

Coming Soon

Even our leaders continue to learn Vicki Nagle attended Sonder’s firstof-its-kind conference for people, risk and safety leaders focused on workforce wellbeing, building high performing team & leading with care

A New Way to Support You And Our Teams

We are excited that UniLodge Living Group will soon be partnering with Sonder for our employees as our new wellbeing, medical, and safety support provider launching 5 January 2026.

Sonder will replace our current Assure Programs EAP and bring even more benefits, including 24/7 access to real humans (not bots!) for instant support and advice Keep an eye out for internal education sessions or reach out to the Chief People Officer, Vicki Nagle for further information

Missed the Group Info Session?

[View Recording]

We’re always looking for ways to make these bi-annual sessions more valuable and engaging, so we’d love your feedback,

Steptember Winners

We’ve completed Steptember with an incredible 14.7 million steps, that’s over 250 marathons!

Congratulations to our ULG Stepping Champs – Stepflix Chill (Trevor Penn, Abhinav Kumar, Michelle Braceros & Brandyn Cronin)! Honourable mentions to Nasi Goreng, Ground Breakers, Performance Max 21 and Leg Day Everyday, each smashing over a million steps Thanks to everyone who stepped up, let’s keep the momentum going for our health and wellbeing

Student Disconnection and ‘Untech”

We are proud to see UniLodge featured in The Urban Developer’s latest article, “Disconnection by Design: Why ‘Untech’ is the Next Big Amenity,” highlighting how our residences are creating mindful, balanced spaces that support student wellbeing from sensory boxes to green quiet rooms and creative zones that promote connection and calm Thanks to all that contributed

Read the article here

“Even small acts of kindness or taking a moment to reflect can help us feel connected to ourselves, each other, and our community” Aunt Vonnie

A Note From Tomas In Closing