August 2009

Young Cooks at home to visitors

Laura Cook, 13, and her brother Stephen, 11, had some surprise visitors to their new home recently.

With their father, Tony, the pair played hosts to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Housing Minister Richard Wynne and Federal Housing Minister Tanya Plibersek in Tullamarine.

Their home is one of three units built on land close to schools, shops and other community facilities through funding to Victoria as part of the Federal Government’s economic stimulus plan.

The units are the first to be finished in Victoria under the stimulus program.

Until recently, Tony has been living in an older concrete house—destined to be demolished—in Glenroy.

‘Moving into this new home is just like winning the lottery,’ said Mr Cook.

The Tullamarine property comprises two three-bedroom double-level units and a two-bedroom unit—built at a cost of $1.025 million.

Funding is from Nation Building ($650,000) and the National Affordable Housing Agreement ($375,000).