Big challenges and opportunities for retirement villages
The second Annual Retirement Forum hosted by the NSW Division of the Property Council attracted 190 industry representatives including village managers, owners and operators, service providers and residents.
The program featured industry leaders discussing the big challenges and opportunities for retirement villages including aged care reform, the review of the NSW Retirement Village Regulations, and emerging technologies.
The Forum was kicked of the by Hon John Ajaka MLC, Minister for Ageing and Disability Services and Minister for the Illawarra. The Minister outlined his view that retirement villages are communities which provide crucial housing and support to older people. He committed to advocate for the industry at the Cabinet table, including on issues such as planning and tax reform.
Thank you to all speakers for their generous support and for sharing their knowledge. Thank you also to our major sponsor, the Impact Group, and to CEO Wayne Golledge.
This year we introduced a new initiative, a networking dinner held the night before the Forum. Let us know if you have any ideas about activities or events you want us to deliver to bring the industry together.
The Forum also hosted the finalists of the NSW/ACT Manager of the Year Award, with Tony Striegl from IRT Kangara Waters taking out the award ahead of runner-up Cassandra Bridge of Oceangrove Seniors Living Village.
Tony’s passion is infectious and the team is constantly thinking outside of the box. Having become a very popular aged care and seniors’ lifestyle community in the ACT, the village is continuously in touch with residents, involved in volunteer programs, working with the local radio show as well as the local school -which eventuated into a school program.
With this pinnacle award, the Property Council aims to provide the industry with the opportunity to acknowledge those that make a real difference in creating vibrant communities for senior Australians. Winners of this award drive teams with outstanding commitment to their residents.
The National Judging Panel evaluated each nomination to determine the finalists, who were interviewed by the National Panel, which then determined the state and national winner. The judging is purely independent from the Property Council.
The feedback from the judges and nominees was overwhelming. Congratulations to all nominees, in particular finalists Dianne Miller of Aveo Bayview Gardens, Jan Lasance of Elermore Glen and Gail Eyres of Living Choice Glenhaven.
A well-deserved thank you goes out to Bill Riddington, Property Council Life Member, and Maurice Tulich, from Tulich Family Communities for their support and efforts this year.
Tony is now in the running for the National Manager of the Year Award, which will be announced at the National Retirement Living Summit 2014 in Sydney.
Adam Somerville
Chair, Property Council of Australia, NSW Retirement Living Committee