Central Coast village manager contender for national award
“Adored by her residents, admired by her team” sums up the recognition for Julie Ramage, who has been announced as the NSW/ACT winner of the Programmed Award for Village Manager of the Year.
Julie (pictured below, receiving her award from Programmed’s Andy Dale) is the manager of RetireAustralia’s Forresters Beach Retirement Village on the Central Coast, which is home for 420 residents in 260 independent living units set in a tranquil and natural setting over acres.
In the role of Village Manager for almost one year, Julie has more than a decade of experience in roles across the RetireAustralia portfolio which she has brought to the fore at Forresters Beach.
She has supported the development of an active cultural and recreational program for residents, including the formation of a new art group following a successful village arts and crafts show. Resident artists were able to display their works in a professional gallery-like setting. There are plans to make this an annual event.
Julie’s village management skills were exemplified when an extreme weather event struck the village during its Christmas party. 220 village residents were in the community building when a storm struck and caused the loss of power.
Julie and her team managed the immediate needs of residents during the power outage and then set about managing the repairs to more than 200 damaged units. She liaised with insurers and contractors to organise repairs and has kept residents regularly informed since on progress.
Julie now enters the running for the National Programmed Award for Village Manager of the Year, to be presented at the National Retirement Living Awards.
The awards recognise the contribution and achievements across all areas of the retirement living sector by the people and companies helping ensure senior Australians have an enjoyable retirement. The award winners will be announced at the National Retirement Living Awards Gala Dinner on the Gold Coast on 21 November 2019.
More information is available at www.retirementlivingawards.com.au.
