RVA NEWS MONITOR No.34 - August 11, 2009
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The Retirement Village Association Manager of the Year Award regional winners
The RVA salutes the 2009 regional winners of the RVA Manager of the Year Award. The five managers are now in the running for the National Award to be announced the RVA National Conference AdvantAge09 to be held at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre (SCEC), 10 – 12 November 2009. RVA CEO Andrew Giles said the competition for the Manager of the Year Award was very strong and making a decision was difficult for judges across Australia. “In each state judging came down to the wire and I think that has a lot to do with what everyone who enters this industry notices immediately – the passion and enthusiasm that the vast majority of village managers have for their jobs, “Mr Giles said. The regional winners are:
“It’s not only inspiring, but an honour to be recognized by your residents and the peak body for such an award. The retirement industry has so many dedicated people that make such major contributions to the industry, so to be awarded with such an accolade, I’m absolutely delighted. This will drive us on with excitement as we move towards new and exciting challenges ahead”.
“I have been privileged to work for the residents of Thomas Perrott Village for 10 years during which time I have worked through many changes. Together we achieved Accreditation earlier this year, a great achievement for us all. To be nominated for this award was a huge honour as the nomination comes from the residents and it is wonderful to know that they think so highly of you and I can't express my appreciation enough. The awards dinner and the announcement last Friday night was an amazing experience and one that I recommend to all village managers.”
“It is both gratifying and dignified to receive this award and it is a tremendous honour to be recognized by my residents and the retirement village industry as a whole. I am one of many managers working within the industry who work with passion and commitment and would like to encourage and support all working within the industry to aspire in achieving the best.”
“Working in a developing village is extremely fulfilling. Welcoming new residents into their brand new homes and watching their enthusiasm as you assist them in building a new community is a delight. The recognition of the industry through this award is the icing on the cake. I encourage all managers to enter the MOTY competition and enjoy the experience as I have done.”
“It is truly a privilege to receive this award in honour of Tony Baldwin. The key to successfully managing a Retirement Village is not just about the provision of housing, it is, first and foremost about the people, their welfare and continuum of care. The nomination and support from both Resident Committees is testament to the standards I uphold in our villages. I look forward to proudly representing New South Wales at the National Conference in November.” RVA addresses RRVV ConferenceRVA president Simon Owen and CEO Andrew Giles, last month, addressed the RRVV (Residents Retirement Villages Victoria Inc) conference in Melbourne to further identify and develop key areas of common issues in the retirement village industry whilst appreciating each others position on topical matters such as departure fees. The pair were joined by RVA regional manager for Victoria Sue Nicholas to discuss a range of issues, particularly in respect to the role of the RVA, growth of the industry and explaining the importance of the departure fees to operators. “This was an extremely valuable opportunity to work with the RRVV and listen to the variety of views from village residents and provide an industry perspective on behalf of developers, owners and managers” Mr Giles said. “Key opportunities were also raised in working together to lobby government around pertinent industry issues that benefit both operators and residents including GST, municipal rates and ensuring best practice,” Mr Giles said. RRVV vice-president Charles Adams thanked the RVA for their attendance and supported more frequent meetings between the RRVV and RVA to discuss mutual opportunities. “We have to understand each others point of view and that takes face to face discussion,” Mr Adams said. Both groups agreed to meet regularly to discuss how to better coordinate issues concerning the industry and residents.top of pagePositions VacantThe RVA this week has placed the positions vacant section of the web page to a more prominent place on the home page. This will allow RVA members to advertise positions vacant, free of charge on the RVA web page. Visit our Positions Vacant page. If you are an RVA member looking to recruit staff please contact RVA communications manager, Chip Henriss at: chip@rva.com.au or 1 800 240 080.
top of pageEarly bird deadline looms for RVA National ConferenceConference organisers are reminding potential delegates for the RVA National Conference, AdvantAge09, to register now and save. The early bird deadline is 14 August. The conference will be held at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre (SCEC) from 10 – 12 November 2009.
RVA people in profile
This week we meet Jones Lang LaSalle Manager for Health and Aged Care, Lois Towart. How did you get involved in the Retirement Industry? I have been in the property industry for over 25 years in valuation, consultancy and research roles. I started specialising in the seniors living (and healthcare) sectors around 2005. I joined Jones Lang LaSalle over two years ago. What does your role involve on a daily basis? My current role involves undertaking valuations and providing advisory reports on health and aged care properties. I also write research publications like our Thought Leadership papers on the Retirement Village Database and on other trends in the Healthcare sector. What is of particular interest to you within the industry? The retirement living industry is going through a significant change with the ageing demographic. While this will give rise to future demand for retirement living, this is impacted by a number of other predicted trends including superannuation adequacy, government pension affordability and requirements to increase working lives. There are significant opportunities for operators to meet future demand, balance all these various issues plus meet, as yet unidentified, trends and issues. Where do you see the industry heading in the short, medium and long term? The retirement village industry has not been immune from the impact of the GFC. While prior to that event acquisition strategies were driven by plentiful and cheap finance, there is now much greater focus on individual village performance and potential. An event like the GFC not only creates problems it also creates opportunities and villages that meet their market, both price and product wise, are expected to perform well. The first big trend that I see going forward is sustainability, which from being the province of the “green fringe” it has now become mainstream. This incorporates many aspects (design, building, landscaping, energy efficiency, etc) and there are numerous ways sustainability can the incorporated into new village developments and retrofitted into existing retirement villages. Furthermore it incorporates many old fashioned concepts like frugality and “waste not want not”. The second big trend I see is affordable housing, while accommodation for the elderly who have limited finances has proved difficult in the past. However, there is demand for this product. I consider that further ways of meeting this demand while maintaining commercial realities are going to be explored by operators and developers. What do you enjoy (hobbies, sport) that people might find surprising about you. One activity that I have taken up in recent years has been lawn bowls. It requires many similar skills to playing billiards so my misspent youth in the pool hall has resulted in a useful skill.
Village in focusElliot Gardens in beautiful, peaceful, Port Elliot SA, has been purpose built to provide residents with lifestyle opportunities that are unmatched. Stunning in its design, Elliot Gardens is a retirement village that has been built with comfort, security and happiness in mind. Two and three-bedroom homes feature low maintenance colour-bond roofs, high quality easy-glide aluminium windows, remote control garage door, brick veneer and steel framing with a 50 year warranty plus a choice of facades, colours and gable treatments.
The RVA News Monitor interviewed village manager Gary Stanley about his role and the lifestyle on offer at Elliot Gardens. What do you
feel are the most
attractive features
about the kind of
lifestyle enjoyed
at Elliot Gardens? What were
the circumstances
that brought you
into the retirement
village industry
and how long have
you been working
in it?
What have
you learned from
the residents at
your village? How do you
help new residents
adjust to life at
Elliot Gardens? always try to meet with residents before they move into the village. At this meeting I give them all of the necessary paperwork, which saves them a lot of time and lets them digest what it all means prior to moving in. I meet with them when they move in and hand over their keys etc. and then in a couple of days we meet again in their house and do a defect listing. A short time later a committee representative visits to welcome them and explain all of the social activities at the village
What have
been some of your
greatest challenges
at Elliot Gardens? What things
have you done to
help establish a
strong/happy community
at Elliot Gardens?
18 Montpelier Terrace
Welcome our newest membersThe RVA is proud to welcome our newest members, however, that doesn’t mean we’re forgetting our existing members. Please contact our communications manager Chip Henriss chip@rva.com.au to submit your people in profile, new appointments or opinion piece. Industry membersAllura
Retirement Concepts Associate MembersVillage
Consulting Services
Pty Ltd mhm Grant
Thornton Australia
Ltd (WA) Silver Spirit
Partners Zadro
Constructions
Upcoming EventsFurther details and contact information can be found on our Events Calendar.
RVA Web Page members’ area and blog The new RVA members’ area and blog are live and ready to go. The members’ area features content exclusively for RVA members’ including; conference and seminar notes and accreditation documents. The RVA Blog is a space where members can discuss current issues surrounding the retirement village industry. We hope that you take part by sharing your opinions, ideas and information.
This is our
Blog button.
For further information or to make comment on the above items, please email communications@rva.com.auThe RVA News Monitor is a weekly feature on the RVA website, and will provide updated stories on issues involving the retirement village industry. The RVA welcomes story or issue ideas to be included in the News Monitor, or comments or opinions on stories featured. |
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South Australia/Northern
Territory
Western
Australia
Queensland
Victoria/Tasmania
NSW/ACT
