REGION - "Everybody has a right to a roof over their heads."
Mary McInness's passion for community housing and advocating on behalf of people who are in need has seen her recognised with a State Premier's Award.
The award acknowledges many hours spent campaigning for citizens oppressed due to low income, chronic illness, intellectual or physical disabilities, family breakdown, age and frailty, social and financial isolation or homelessness.
As the chair of the Whalers Housing Association, Mrs McInness coordinates the program, which attends to the community housing needs of 72 properties across the region and in parts of the Adelaide's southern suburbs.
With a background in real estate, her 11 years' experience has mainly involved community housing.
"Community housing has become the love of my life; I have been a part of the bigger picture on state councils, but we have stepped back working with other groups in the areas and looking at filling the gaps in community housing in the Southern Fleurieu area," she said.
"At the moment we are working on youth homelessness and crisis accommodation; our aim is get community housing back on the state government's agenda, in particularly for the Southern Fleurieu area," she said.
"I believe that everyone has the right to affordable housing, we meet people who are living in cars, who are homeless and it makes you want to do more.
"We have had many success stories where we have located people and it has turned their lives around and made something of them selves; that in itself is motivating," she said.
"We are very hot on the social side of things, we organise Bingo for them, Christmas parties and pay regular visits to see how they are going.
"The look on a person's face when they are placed in long term housing, that is a reward that we treasure."
Mrs McInness received her award, including a framed certificate, medallion and a blown, engraved glass platter, at Government House on Australia Day from Premier Mike Rann.
The award was a surprise.
"We went to the breakfast because I knew I was nominated so it was very exciting and nerve wracking," she said.
"It is a honour and very humbling to be recognised."