Career change leads to Queensland Village Manager of the Year success

A former Army soldier and police officer has won the Queensland Programmed Village Manager of the Year award in recognition for his work with 540 retirement village residents on the Sunshine Coast.

Terry Byway received his award in front of an audience of retirement living industry leaders in Brisbane this morning.

Terry has worked as a retirement village manager since 2010, after 20 years in the Army and 12 years as a police officer in Tasmania and Queensland. He has managed Buderim Gardens Retirement Village, owned and operated by Lendlease, since April 2016.

In his time at Buderim Gardens, Terry has overseen significant upgrades to resident units and other village buildings, ensuring disruption to residents is minimal and making savings to the village budget at the same time.

Resident satisfaction has increased, and Terry has utilised resident volunteers to implement a village-wide recycle waste system.

Paul Bonner, chair of the Buderim Gardens residents committee, says Terry helped to rebuild trust among residents at the village after facilities had been allowed to deteriorate before Lendlease bought the village in 2014.

“At his first meeting with residents, Terry told us that his main task was to ensure that residents lived a happy life with the minimum of problems,” says Paul.

“Terry is very approachable and does what he promises. He is caring and will always make himself available to residents to discuss their concerns.”

Terry now enters the running for the National Programmed Manager of the Year award, to be presented on 27 November on the Gold Coast.

The Village Manager of the Year is proudly presented by Programmed Property Services. Programmed is a long-time supporter of the award and its recognition of outstanding retirement village managers and their vital role in creating happy, healthy and harmonious communities. For more information on the Village Manager of the Year, visit www.retirementlivingawards.com.au.