Knowledge Centre

Day: February 10, 2023

Categories
Facility Manager Key things to help you everyday

Shrove Tuesday: The Sweetest Day of the Year

Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day, is a day of feasting and festivities that takes place the day before Ash Wednesday – the start of the Lent.

The origins of Shrove Tuesday date back to medieval times, when it was customary to use up all the rich ingredients in your pantry before the start of Lent. Pancakes were a popular choice because they were quick and easy to make, and used up ingredients such as eggs, butter, and sugar. These days, Shrove Tuesday is celebrated all over the world, and many people enjoy cooking up a storm in the kitchen, whipping up as many pancakes as they can eat.

To this day, a good number of retirement villages across the country incorporate Pancake Day into their activities calendar.  It is a day village Chef’s tend to dread with the pressure of making a large numbers of yummy pancakes in a very short period of time.

Anyways, we’ve been lucky enough to get a family recipe from a retirement village in south western Sydney for you to try out on Tuesday 21 February.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Non-stick cooking spray or additional melted butter for greasing the pan

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  2. In another bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
  3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined (the batter will be lumpy). Don’t overmix, as this will result in tough pancakes.
  4. Heat a non-stick pan or griddle over medium heat. Grease the pan with cooking spray or melted butter.
  5. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake onto the hot pan. Cook until small bubbles form on the surface of the pancake, about 2-3 minutes.
  6. Flip the pancake and cook until the other side is lightly browned, about 1-2 minutes more.
  7. Repeat with the remaining batter, adding more cooking spray or butter as needed.
  8. Serve the pancakes hot with your favourite toppings, such as butter, syrup, fruit, or whipped cream.

Enjoy your delicious pancakes! If you’re feeling creative, why add all sorts of toppings, from syrup and fruit to chocolate chips and bacon.

Categories
Key things to help you everyday Village Operator

Reflections on ‘Renovate or Detonate’

“The conversation has to start very early.”

That is according to David Cowdery, General Manager of Property at BaptistCare NSW & ACT. Speaking at the ‘Renovate or Detonate’ webinar hosted by The WEEKLY SOURCE and facilitated by Christopher Baynes, CEO of DCM Group, David noted the key to a successful redevelopment project is to start communicating with residents early.

David emphasized that building trust with residents can take a year of consultation, and transparency is crucial in showing that the operator has their best interests in mind.

Callum Ross, Head of Developments at Levande shared his own experience, stressing the importance of being transparent and upfront about the project from start to finish, and putting strategies in place to minimize any disruptions, such as providing areas of respite, organizing bus trips, and communicating construction schedules.

Jeff Ross from Total Construction added to this by sharing how they put viewing platforms in place to allow residents to inspect the construction process and feel engaged with the project.

Callum noted that renewing communities is a big opportunity for the industry, and as professionals, it is our responsibility to ensure its success. Whether it be a renovation, renewal, or full community redevelopment, engaging residents and bringing them along for the journey is crucial.

To achieve this, the following tips can be considered:

  1. Be proactive: Start communicating with the residents as early as possible to ensure that everyone has ample time to ask questions and provide input.
  2. Use clear, simple language: Avoid technical jargon and use clear, simple language to communicate the details of the project, including scale, scope and timeframes.
  3. Utilise multiple channels: To reach as many people as possible, consider using multiple communication channels, such as email, newsletters, social media, and public meetings.
  4. Be transparent: Be transparent about the goals and process of the project, being honest about any challenges or limitations you may face.
  5. Address concerns: Address any concerns that residents may have about the project, providing clear and concise answers.
  6. Highlight the benefits: Highlight the benefits of the project, such enhancement to resident experiences through improved amenities, and desirability of the community for future residents.
  7. Encourage participation: Encourage residents to participate in the process and provide feedback. This can be done through resident meetings, online surveys, or other engagement methods.

The WEEKLY SOURCE’s ‘Renovate or Detonate’ webinar looked at the tough choice between renovating and extending the life of a building asset, or demolishing and building a repositioned village. Lead by DCM Group CEO, Chris Baynes, panel discusses what to consider, the potential challenges, and the outcomes you can hope to achieve through an architecture and design, construction, project management and operator lens.

Panellists:

  • Mahi Lau | Principal, Stanton Dahl Architects
  • David Cowdery | General Manager Property, BaptistCare NSW & ACT
  • Jeff Jones | CEO, Total Construction
  • Calum Ross | Head of Development, Levande 
  • Anthony Felice | Sector Lead, Aged Care and Retirement Living NSW, TSA