Finalists announced for 2023 National Retirement Village Manager & Salesperson of the Year

Home Media Releases Finalists announced for 2023 National Retirement Village Manager & Salesperson of the Year

National finalists for the 2023 National Retirement Living ‘Village Manager of the Year’ and ‘Salesperson of the Year’ were announced at the Property Council of Australia’s Retirement Connect Sundowner event in Perth today.

Congratulating all nominees and finalists, Retirement Living Council Executive Director Daniel Gannon said while Australia was a global leader in the design of age-friendly communities, it was extraordinary people who could build strong and productive relationships with residents that made retirement living even more enjoyable.

“It is through the increasingly competitive professional standards in our annual industry awards programme that the ‘best of the best’ are continually pushing and pulling the rest of us closer to world’s best practice,” Mr Gannon said.

Mr Gannon said a 10-year longitudinal study of Australian retirement village residents by DCM Group found 83 per cent of residents felt safer in the age-friendly community than in their previous home, with 94 per cent of residents confirming they were ‘glad to be living in a retirement community during these uncertain COVID-19 times’.

“It’s always important to remember why we’re here, so our industry’s best village managers and salespeople will always have a strong focus on supporting residents in age-friendly communities right across Australia,” Mr Gannon said. 

“Despite working for different operators in different metropolitan and regional locations, one common denominator emerged – like our ambitions for industry, they all want to enhance their village’s reputation as the best place for residents and staff,” he said.  

A survey of retirement village residents by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) last year confirmed industry efforts to improve professional standards were seemingly working, with customer experience meeting and/or exceeding expectations raised in marketing via face-to-face (77 per cent), village website (72 per cent), brochures (73 per cent), print advertisements (68 per cent) and TV/radio (64 per cent).

Mr Gannon said there was an industry-wide strategy for many operators to put residents back at the centre of the industry’s business model, evidenced through their adoption of the Eight Point Plan, the Retirement Living Code of Conduct, the Australian Retirement Village Accreditation Scheme (ARVAS), the RLC’s new Capability Frameworkthe Resident and Community Engagement for Redevelopments Guidelinesand the more recent A guide to Political engagement: How to be a strong advocate for healthy ageing.

“Putting these initiatives into action has demonstrated a meaningful commitment to residents, and a meaningful commitment to acting on issues that have in the past drawn criticism from the media and from politicians,” Mr Gannon said.

“Together, we can lift the standards of this important industry and in turn, our market share. To do this, we need every operator across the country to be part of this positive change,” he said.

Regional winners will now compete for the coveted 2023 National Retirement Village Manager of the Year and the 2023 National Salesperson of the Year Award.

National Winners will be announced on 22 June 2023 on the Gold Coast as part of the 2023 National Retirement Living Summit, which is the industry’s most exciting opportunity for professional development and networking.

Finalists for he 2023 National Retirement Village Manager of the Year Award and the 2023 National Retirement Village Salesperson of the Year follow (below). 

ENDS

Media Contact: Francis Quinlivan | 0438 730 643 |[email protected]

2023 National Retirement Living ‘Village Manager of the Year’ and ‘Salesperson of the Year’ Finalists

Western Australia

Programmed Award for Village Manager of the Year – Karri ASHFORD – Woodstock West Bunbury (Lendlease Retirement Living). Karri has demonstrated outstanding commitment to her role and effectively managed all aspects of village life with professionalism and compassion to an extremely high standard. Residents have noticed the positive new initiatives that Karri has introduced and value the improvements in the presentation of the village, facilities and services, especially the pleasant atmosphere generated by Karri and her staff.

Award for Salesperson of the Year – Glenys WATTERS – Parkland Villas Mandurah and Woodstock West (Lendlease Retirement Living). Glenys is an extremely competent Sales Manager who is successfully managing sales across two villages, which are over 100km apart and of different tenure. Since taking on Woodstock West, Glenys has successfully reduced the number of units for sale from 33 to 13. Glenys actively seeks community groups to come into her villages and has consistently exceeded her sales targets, while providing concise and accurate reporting.

NSW / ACT

Programmed Award for Village Manager of the Year – Jo-Anne QUINN – Manors of Mosman (Aveo Group). Jo-Anne is the Community Manager. Her natural leadership is demonstrated through the trusted relationships she has built with residents, knowledge of the industry, the team’s high performance and her ability to drive operational performance at every level. Earning the respect of her colleagues and residents, Jo-Ann has demonstrated outstanding leadership and professionalism over many years, achieving high standards of compliance, engagement, innovation and self-management.

Award for Salesperson of the Year – Joanna WATKINS – Willandra Retirement Community (Australian Unity). Joanna’s passion for the retirement industry and her residents is evident in testimonials. Joanna’s vivacious personality and enthusiasm for her residents is infectious and her love and understanding of the industry are proven by her outstanding sales records. Over 12 years, she has created effective sales and marketing campaigns and is a highly successful negotiator and community relations specialist that engages clients, community leaders and government bodies.

QLD

Programmed Award for Village Manager of the Year – Justine REGAN – Aveo Robertson Park (Aveo Group). In just 12 months, Justine Regan rebuilt trust and transformed Aveo Robertson Park in Brisbane’s south into a thriving and fully occupied community. With a humble and empathetic nature, Justine is an experienced and inspired Community Manager who brings people together and creates opportunities for residents to live their best retirement life.

Award for Salesperson of the Year – Amanda ADAMS – Aveo Clayfield (Aveo Group). After four successful years as the Sales Manager at Aveo Durack, Amanda was appointed Sales Manager at The Clayfield. Her genuine care for clients and communities has seen her achieve more than 90 sales over the last 12 months, worth nearly $22 million. Amanda has also won Aveo’s 2022 Shark Tank award for her innovative engagement program at Durack.

SA / NT

Programmed Award for Village Manager of the Year – Lee Ann ALEJO – Wisteria Grove Retirement Village (RetireAustralia). As Village Manager for Wisteria Grove and Spring Grove, Lee Ann is a values-driven leader who embodies care, compassion and a dedication to residents’ wellbeing. She is committed to supporting residents as their care needs increase by helping them access home care services, or transitioning them into a serviced apartment. She successfully transformed culture to unite the community, while successfully steering a nearby village through a COVID-19 outbreak. At both villages, Lee Ann ensures residents and team members feel valued and supported.

Award for Salesperson of the Year – Emily BEY – Hillsview, The Grange and Walnut Grove Retirement Villages (Levande). Emily is an outstanding Sales Professional and has worked for Levande (previously Stockland) since 2017. From relatively high vacancy rates between 10 and 19 per cent, Emily sold out her three current villages, which now operate on a waitlist basis. She takes pride and joy in providing an exceptional experience for both her customers and colleagues. Not surprising, Emily has been recognised as an industry standard bearer by Stockland on numerous occasions for her excellent results, values and behaviour.

VIC / TAS

Programmed Award for Village Manager of the Year – Sherman BROWN – Burwood Terrace (Lendlease Retirement Living). Sherman is an excellent people manager and thrives in a busy work environment that caters for a variety of staff working across several disciplines, including: administration, housekeeping, maintenance and sales. Sherman consistently aims to enhance the village’s reputation as the best place for residents and staff.

Award for Salesperson of the Year – Peta SMITH – Abervale Village and Windsor Park (Lendlease Retirement Living). Peta is an outstanding sales professional who consistently exceeds her sales targets even in the most challenging of environments. Since joining Lendlease in 2018, Peta has excelled in every aspect of her role. Peta’s industry experience and superior selling skills provides her with a great depth of knowledge, which she willingly shares as a sales leader and mentor.