Seminar series
The seminar series for 2024 has concluded. The presenter slides and video recordings (where available) are linked below.
We’re preparing for High Life 2025. If you’re interested in speaking at part of the Seminar Series, we would love to hear from you.
If you live in or own an apartment or unit and have a story to share, please let us know.
If you’re an expert keen to talk on a strata topic, please let us know.
Electrify everything: retrofitting apartments and common infrastructure
Download the session slides. Watch the video.
Learn from pioneering apartment buildings already embracing electrification. Understand more about all-electric technology options and what you need to consider as you make the switch – induction cook tops, hot water heat pumps, heating and cooling options, electricity load considerations, and more.
Speakers:
Peter Steele, Director, Goodbye Gas
Craig Harris, Principle, LID Consulting
Carla, Richard, and Ying-Lan apartment residents working to retrofit their building
Session sponsored by Active
Building bonds: creating connected and resilient apartment communities
Connected communities are better able to manage their building, and are more resilient in times of crisis. Hear examples of how vertical communities are being created, and get tools to follow in their footsteps.
Speakers:
Nicholas Abbey, strata advocate & passionate strata community builder
Ash Lee, Neighbourhood Partner Southbank & Elissa McMillian, City Resilience Strategy Lead, City of Melbourne
Kylie Dowles, community builders and apartment resident
Jasmine Palmer, cohousing resident, collaborative housing researcher & consultant
Charging ahead: retrofitting electric vehicle infrastructure in apartment buildings
Download the session slides. Watch the video.
Selecting an optimal EV charging solution can be complex amidst the myriad of technology and suppliers. Our panel of experts will offer invaluable insights and case studies for both shared and private charging in apartment buildings.
Speakers:
Adam Farrugia, GHIC
Tait Bonito, Sector Manager - Apartments, JET Charge
Cleat, apartment resident and Bruce Thompson, Thompillai, insights for a recent EV charging project
Nicholas Burt, Chief Executive, Facilities Management Australia
Sebastian Golotta, Sustainability and project Manager, Engine Property Group with Anthony Igmen Specialized Solar and Electrical
Session sponsored by Engine Property Group
Climate comfort: retrofitting apartments and common areas for year-round energy efficiency
Improving efficiency equals smaller bills, plus improved comfort and sustainability. In this session you’ll get expert advice and learn about tools to help make your common infrastructure, and your apartment more energy efficient. Plus, you’ll be inspired by a beautiful, and sustainable DIY apartment retrofit.
Speakers:
Davina Rooney, Chief Executive Officer, Green Building Council
Nick Tassigiannakis, Managing Director, Bridgeford Group
Shaun Tompkins, DIY renovator & sustainable buildings expert
Solar solutions for your apartment community
It’s time to explore solar for your apartment. Learn about solar sharing technology, hear from Solar Victoria about rebates, and understand opportunities to plug into renewable energy through an embedded network.
Speakers:
Guy Pritchard, Director Incentive Programs, Solar Victoria
Will Anstee, Housing Partnerships Manager and Liz Eacott, Apartment Solar Specialist, Allume
Andrew McMeekin, General Manager, Active Utilities
Session sponsored by Electrify Boorondara
Better with less: efficiency and electrification for renters, the budget-conscious, and DIYers
Whether you’re a renter or have budget limitations, you still deserve an efficient, comfortable home. Get expert advice about making your apartment more thermally comfortable, efficient, and electric within the bounds of your rental agreement or available budget.
Speakers:
Maurice Beinat, Technical Director, ecoMaster
Tim Forcey, Home Energy Advisory and author of My Efficient Electric Home Handbook
Online seminar series
Getting to yes! Navigating good decision-making in owners corporations
Watch video and find the associated resources here.
Navigating and making good decisions with your owners corporation can be one of the biggest challenges of apartment living. So how can we do it better?
In this session, you’ll get an overview of the legislated decision-making process, as demanded by the Victorian Owners Corporation Act.
But perhaps more importantly, we’ll explore what else could be done to smooth the path for a decision. What can help owners engage with the matter, understand and address different perspectives, and feel like they are moving forward together rather than breaking into factions.
Speakers:
Julie McLean, Strata Community Association Victoria, Immediate Past President
Elena Pereyra, architect and co-chair of Cohousing Australia
Jeanette Corcoran, Director, Owners Corporation Network
Naturally cool: planting for cooling, beautification, and connection in apartment buildings
Watch video and find the associated resources here.
Cooling your home in summer, beautification, social amenity for recreation and mental wellbeing, creating habitat for native animals and insects - there are so many reasons to bring nature into your apartment complex.
In this session we’ll explore greening options for spaces and budgets of all shapes and sizes. Get insights and advice from greening experts about how you or your owners corporation could cultivate and enjoy a lush, green, apartment complex.
And take a peak at the Docklands apartment building that’s been transforming spaces from gray to green.
Speakers:
Dr Thami Croeser, Research Fellow, RMIT
Janette Corcoran, Chair, Victoria Point Owners Corporation
Geoff Heard, Managing Director, Fytogreen
Waste not: how to reduce and optimise waste management and recycling in apartment buildings
Watch video and find the associated resources here.
Waste and recycling in apartment buildings can be a point of challenge or even tension. Differing expectations, spacial issues, and cost implications all come into play. But there are solutions.
Discover how Reground has assisted owners corporations across greater Melbourne to reimagine their waste spaces and enhance amenity. How they foster engagement, education, and empowerment among residents, committees, and facilities managers to achieve sustainable waste management goals.
Plus, learn how Returnr Marketplace can help you stop waste at the source. Returnr is new way to shop online. They offer home delivered groceries in reusable, returnable packaging.
Speakers: