Vale Ross Smith – Tenants Union’s Brown Couch

Ross Smith, Waterloo.

Ross was actively involved with the Waterloo Neighbourhood Advisory
Board as the Peoples Precinct representative. He was a member of
Counterpoint Community Services, King Cross Community Centre and South
Sydney Community Aid, Treasurer and long-standing member of REDWatch,
and volunteered with the South Sydney Herald. He was also an active
member of the Australian Labor Party.

Ross was always willing to say what many others would not regarding
social housing policy – or as he would say ‘public and community
housing’ policy. He strongly disliked the term social housing.

He was a strong advocate. He was always a touchstone for those who might
stray too far from hearing tenants’ voices. He was also keen to stay
in touch with tenants from across the state and would travel across
Sydney to be at tenants’ events. He had a passionate commitment to
tenant participation.

Ross was well known in Waterloo and the wider public and community
housing community for his tireless advocacy work. He will be sadly
missed.