Day: June 30, 2022

Matt Fedrick, Ingenia Lifestyle’s Development Director in Queensland, and Sharon Manson, Community Sales Manager at Ingenia Lifestyle Hervey Bay, Queensland, were honoured for their work at the National Retirement Living Summit on the Gold Coast.

“I think there is a real need for the creation of community and a commitment to transparency in the industry, which extends to advising potential residents to always consider, question and understand the options available when looking at any retirement community,” said Sharon, Salesperson of the Year.

“I approach our customers as if I was advising my own family – I believe that extra attention and openness ensures that customers and their families can feel confident in choosing the community that best suits their lifestyle needs.”

Matt, who was awarded the title of Future Retirement Living Leader, was instrumental in introducing a new, more affordable style of home at Ingenia Lifestyle’s Chambers Pines community in Chambers Flats, Logan.

“We have been able to introduce affordable housing in these areas, offering properties starting from $239,000 in the Hervey Bay region when the median house price for this area is around $420,000,” he said.

Ingenia Communities CEO Simon Owen said Matt is highly regarded within the Ingenia business.

“Matt runs one of the largest and most profitable business units at Ingenia – our Queensland development business. He demonstrates great leadership in his role daily and constantly coaches and supports his team to be their best,” said Simon.

“He constantly seeks to challenge the status quo and bring new ways of thinking into the business – whether it is building methodology, addressing a new segment in the seniors housing market or repurposing a 40-year-old building.

“Both Matt and Sharon are tremendous assets to the Ingenia team and we are very proud to have their achievements recognised and celebrated by their industry peers and to support their continued success into the future.”

Lexi Connor, Village Manager of RetireAustralia’s Boambee Gardens Retirement Village in Toormina, on the NSW North Coast, is this year’s winner of the Queensland-based company’s Family Award.

In late October 2021, Boambee Gardens Retirement Village suffered a destructive hail storm, with the community centre and residents’ homes suffering a significant amount of damage.

“Without giving it a second thought, Lexi jumped into action, making sure residents were safe and dry while she organised emergency accommodation. While some residents stayed in the local area, some went to Glengara Care, located on the NSW Central Coast,” said RetireAustralia’s Chief Operating Officer Simon Fawssett, pictured presenting the award to Lexi.

“Moving 14 residents to Glengara Care was no small task. It involved physically packing and moving residents, including their furniture. Lexi went the extra mile by driving the bus to ensure the residents arrived safely. Of course, she could not have done it without the help of her team, in particular Senior PCA Marilyn Unterrheiner who was also recognised with an RA Family Award nomination for her efforts.

“Lexi kept the vibrancy of the village alive by modifying village activities and redeploying village staff who could not perform their usual duties until everyone could return home and the repairs were complete.”

Highly commended in the Family Award were:

Dianne Bear, Village Manager, Belrose Country Club Retirement Village, in Sydney’s Northern Suburbs,

Michael McMullen, Village Manager, Drayton Villas Retirement Village, in Toowoomba City, QLD,and

Brett Halley, Maintenance, Drayton Villas Retirement Village.

The retirement Living Council wishes to change the language of retirement villages, channelling the new label ‘age friendly communities’.

M-L MacDonald, President of the Retirement Living Council, and Ben Myers (main picture), the Council’s Executive Director, both used the term “age friendly communities” at its national conference on the Gold Coast last week.

“The term “age friendly communities” helps us better communicate what a retirement village, land lease community or rental village actually does,” Ben told us. 

“When we are in Canberra and use one of those terms, the mindset of the politician or public servant immediately goes to it’s a state or territory responsibility. Using the term “age friendly communities” changes that mind set.

“It takes us out of the consumer protection debate.”

Villages are regulated by state and territory legislation and the Retirement Living Council finds this is the mindset of politicians and public servants in Canberra.

Arcadia Group Communities Maddington Village (Perth) Manager Steven Daly was named the Retirement Living Council’s Village Manager of the Year at its annual function on the Gold Coast last week. His Perth-based owner, Roger Kwok was on hand to celebrate his win. 

The award is hotly challenged and carefully judged by a panel of eight industry experts, including Jodie Prosser.

Residents nominate their village manager and operator support with a detailed proposal. Selected candidates are then also interviewed by judging panel.

Steven, who has been employed at Arcadia Group since August 2020, also finds the time to serve as a volunteer firefighter. He is Vice-President of the Roleystone Volunteer Fire Brigade and also gives his time to All Hands Volunteers.

Before joining Arcadia Group, Steven was employed by MercyCare as Service Manager East Metro. Before then, the Scotsman was Operations Manager at Roshana Care Group and a Facility Manager at BaptistCare.

Our congratulations to Steven and all the nominees put forward by their own residents. A great compliment.