The SA Housing Trust has supported Ngintait elder Norm to move into a new, accessible home in the Riverland, helping him remain connected to his community.
Many locals know Norm as Uncle Tinawin. He spent decades working across South Australia with Aboriginal communities before returning to the Riverland. There, he has played an active role in archaeological work to rebury ancestors, work he describes as his true passion. He also strongly advocates for reconciliation and cultural understanding and helped found the First People of the Millewa-Mallee Aboriginal Corporation.
Norm continues to support the community by sharing his cultural knowledge with staff at the Trust’s Berri office. He helps build understanding and strengthen respectful, culturally appropriate interactions with Aboriginal tenants.
After taking great care of his previous Trust home for many years, Norm faced mobility challenges that made it difficult to stay. The Trust worked with him to provide a newly built, accessible home, while making his previous property available for his son and young family, in line with the Tenant Succession Policy.
Norm says he feels honoured to receive a new home and remains committed to caring for it.
“In 10 years’ time it will be exactly the same, not a mark on the wall," Norm says.
"It’s important to respect the home you get.
“Just because you might see a few people on the news doing the wrong thing, don’t paint everyone with the same brush. We’re not all the same.”