The winners of the 2023 National Retirement Living Awards have been announced at the annual gala dinner, held last last week on the Gold Coast.
In front of 585 industry professionals, winners were crowned across 10 categories ranging from best retirement community to Village Manager of the Year.
Retirement Living Council Executive Director Daniel Gannon said it was important to acknowledge and celebrate the great people and teams reshaping the industry across Australia.
“This industry is turbo-charged with talent, including dedicated village managers, purposeful customer-focused operators, and innovative service providers,” he said.
“These industry awards recognise the ‘best of the best’ and those who make a conscious decision every day to improve the lives of senior Australians.
“And let’s not forget that while some industries invent, others harvest, grow or make things – we are designing, building and creating world-leading age-friendly communities at a time when housing supply is under great duress.
“To our national award winners, we extend our congratulations and thanks for the work you do in communities and for communities around Australia.”
Jim Hazel was also inducted as a Retirement Living Council Honorary Life Member at its annual awards gala dinner.
Mr Gannon said his induction as a Life Member is a well-deserved acknowledgement of his longstanding contribution to industry.
“As an industry leader, Jim has made an outstanding contribution to the Australian property sector, especially through the growth and development of retirement living,” he said.
“Through his unique perspective on ageing, Jim has contributed to the improvement and advancement of seniors housing across Australia and helped shape the retirement living industry as an executive, investor, advocate, and innovator.”
RLC National President and Aveo Group CEO Tony Randello paid tribute to Mr Hazel.
“Jim has always shown passion and respect for customers in our industry and has given countless hours to the industry in driving legislative outcomes with balance for developers, operators and customers,” he said.
“This important recognition and his induction as an Honorary Life Member of the RLC will come as a surprise to no-one in industry.”
The Ingenia Chairman, Bendigo & Adelaide Bank board director and member of the COTA Australia board, expressed his gratitude.
“I’ve never been motivated by individual awards or accolades, but this is an enormous privilege and a great honour,” said Mr Hazel.
“Creating age-friendly and care-focused communities for senior Australians is a great pleasure, something that I’ve taken very seriously, and a focus that will remain for many years to come.”
Jim Hazel joins Derek McMillan and Alison Quinn as Honorary National Life Members of the RLC.
2023 National Retirement Living Award winners
- Blueforce People’s Choice Award for Best Retirement Village or Community – Burwood Terrace, Keyton
- Tunstall Healthcare Award for Best Luxury Retirement Living Development – Pavilions Blackburn Lake, AdventCare
- Moffat Award for Best Sustainability in Retirement Living – Aveo Bella Vista
- Channel Marketing Group Award for Marketing Excellence – Take the First Step Campaign, Aveo Group
- One Fell Swoop Award for Best Retirement Village Development – Pavilions Blackburn Lake, AdventCare
- Programmed Award for Village Manager of the Year – Jo-Anne Quinn, Community Manager, Manors of Mosman
- Marketability Award for Salesperson of the Year – Peta Smith, Senior Sales Manager, Abervale Village and Windsor Park
- Health Metrics Award for Future Retirement Living Leader – Annabel Bone, Project Manager, Resident Operations – Retirement Living
- Award for Best Refurbishment or Redevelopment – Dee Why Gardens – Communal Areas Upgrade, Keyton
- Award for Best Land Lease Community Development – Stockland – Halcyon Greens