IN A career stretching 16 years, Margaret Howard has fought tirelessly for renters’ rights, working with disadvantaged people to ensure families kept a roof over their heads.
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Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre (PMNC) stalwart Margaret Howard has bid a fond farewell as she enters retirement.
Over a long-running career dedicated to “ensuring tenants had a voice”, the former Mid Coast Tenants Advice Service coordinator said she gained tremendous job satisfaction.
“It’s always been about empowering people and helping them achieve their rights,” she said.
“I’ve loved working for a community-based organisation and the people who work here are the reason I’ve been here so long.”
At her surprise farewell lunch on Wednesday, workmates acknowledged Mrs Howard’s commitment to social justice as well as her “wicked sense of humor” and the Gnome Games she organised for statewide networking meetings.
PMNC’s Lindy Peck said Mrs Howard was instrumental in developing the centre’s tenant advice and advocacy service, travelling thousands of kilometres between Gloucester and Woolgoolga.
“In the early years, we saw tenants routinely evicted illegally, over-charged and under-serviced, and in several cases living in unsafe and unhealthy properties,” Mrs Peck said.
“While there were a multitude of horror stories, there was some satisfaction gained from the assistance, advocacy and representation the service was able to provide.
“Margaret has entertained us over the years with her high kicks and smooth moves and more recently her skill on the ukulele.
“We thank her for being such a dedicated and patient mentor to other staff.”
Mrs Howard said her plans for retirement include fishing, playing the ukulele and training her fox terrier to be a circus dog.