The event brought together professionals from across Western Australia for a day of networking and hearing from industry experts and practitioners on the topics of Sustainability, Village Finances, and Budgets.
One of the highlights of the day was the presentation of Bianca McGoldrick from Jackson McDonald, who shed light on the legal obligations of the administering body concerning village budgets. Her expertise encouraged Village professionals to take ownership of their budget, just as they should their village, to give residents confidence and deliver financial success.
Representing the residents’ perspective, WARVRA President Ron Chamberlain spoke eloquently and empathetically. Ron spoke to some of the shared concerns WARVRA has with some of the ambiguities in the legislation, both new and proposed.
Find a way to educate residents on the operation of the village, including village finances and budgets.
The afternoon session witnessed engaging workshops centred around real-life situations, guided by a presentation on Operational Best Practice by sector experts, Village Solutions Australia. Andrew Hanna and Rebecca Duckham provided practical insights and strategies to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness within their respective villages
Importantly, all speakers stressed the importance of commencing all conversations around Budgets and Finances as earlier as possible, to bring residents along for the journey.
Whilst always challenging, the annual meeting is an opportunity to build trust and confidence.
Andrew Hanna, Village Solutions Australia
The Professional Development Day in Perth proved to be a resounding success, setting the stage for the upcoming sessions in Brisbane and Melbourne next week.
For those seeking more information on the DCM Institute’s Professional Development Day series and upcoming events, click here.
Karen Pohl started her journey at what is now Keyton’s Abervale retirement village in Grovedale, a southern suburb of Geelong, Victoria, as a cleaner.
She quickly progressed into the role of Village Administrator.
“They needed someone I guess,” she laughs. “I actually didn’t apply for the job. I filled in for the role a couple of times, and I already knew a lot of the residents as well. Also back then, I was probably a bit more computer savvy than some other people. But I’ve gotten old now.”
Karen’s mum moved into the village after Karen began working there.
“It was good having her here. I got to see her and catch up a fair bit,’ Karen said.
After her mum sadly passed away, Karen found comfort in her work as the receptionist, and interacting with residents and their families on a daily basis. When asked what the best part of her job is, she has a very quick answer.
“It’s interaction with the residents. And milestone events. There were some really special times. 100th birthday celebrations, the village anniversary, and we even had a wedding here not long ago. This is fantastic. This is when we can make the residents happy.”
The living embodiment of the Keyton values
A self declared introvert who doesn’t like to talk about herself, Karen feels at home at Abervale.
“I am very, very introverted. But you put me behind that desk, and I can have a chat to residents and talk about things they want to talk about.’
Village manager Andrew Scholten, who has worked alongside Karen for many years, said Karen is the backbone of the village.
“She holds all the history, knows every resident and their families, she is loved dearly by every resident and every member of staff,” he said during the village’s 40 year anniversary.
“She is smart, witty, full of fun and vitality and is the living embodiment of the Keyton values. You are such an important person for everyone in the village and we have to let you know that. You are a remarkable person.”
Will Karen see 30 years at Abervale?
“I’m going on a holiday shortly, to Canada and Alaska. I will be overseas for three and a half weeks. But other than that, I’ve got nowhere else to go at the moment, so I keep turning up for work,” she said.
“You’ve gotta be a little bit crazy to be in any job for that long.”
The year was 2005, and it was my inaugural Pancake Day as the new Chef in an exclusive Retirement Village. Little did I know, I was about to step into the culinary carnival of the century! This day, as I discovered, was not just a celebration; it was a culinary extravaganza, a grand spectacle in the retirement village’s social calendar.
As the morning sun heralded the arrival of Pancake Day, I took my place in the kitchen to prepare as any good chef. We call it Mise en place – a French culinary phrase which means “putting in place” or “gather”. It refers to the setup required before cooking.
It turned out, there wasn’t enough time for what happened next. They descended upon the dining hall like children at a desert bar. And they bring reinforcements – friends and family, all eager to partake in the day.
The wait staff found themselves in a whirlwind, a dance of pancakes and plates as the demand soared higher than our griddle temperatures. Pancake flipping went from an art form to a method of survival.
There was a moment of sheer panic as our supplies of strawberries and ice cream disappeared before our very eyes.
Thankfully, the culinary gods smiled upon us. The residents continued their feast, and the dining hall echoed with laughter and stories of how this day had been celebrated in the family home, long before their retirement.
Looking back, that first Pancake Day remains etched in my memory as a delightful yet chaotic adventure. It was a day when the kitchen became a stage, and I, the unwitting protagonist, learned that Pancake Day in a retirement village is not just a day—it’s a gastronomic carnival that brings people together in the name of fluffy goodness.
About Pancake Day
This year, Pancake Day falls on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. The day always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday (a feast that is determined by the cycles of the moon), so the date changes slightly each year.
Why do we have pancake day?
Pancake Day, also known as Shrove Tuesday, is always the day before Ash Wednesday on the Christian calendar. The word ‘shrove’ originates from the English word ‘shrive’, which is the act of confessing one’s sins and doing penance. Making pancakes is a tradition that was developed as a means of using up rich foods such as eggs, milk and sugar before the 40-days of fasting.
The perfect pancake recipe
Ingredients
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 2 tablespoons sugar
– 1 tablespoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 2 large eggs
– 1 3/4 cups milk
– 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– Butter or oil for cooking
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Ensure a thorough blend to guarantee an even consistency in your batter.
2. Create a Well in the Centre
Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients. This is where the magic begins.
3. Whisk the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Pour this delightful concoction into the well you’ve created in the dry ingredients.
4. Mix Gently
Gradually incorporate the wet and dry ingredients, stirring gently with a wooden spoon or a spatula. Do not overmix; a few lumps are perfectly acceptable for the fluffiest pancakes.
5. Rest the Batter
Let the batter rest for about 10 minutes. This gives the baking powder time to work its leavening magic, resulting in pancakes that are light and airy.
6. Preheat the Griddle or Pan
While the batter is resting, preheat your griddle or non-stick pan over medium heat. Add a pat of butter or a splash of oil to ensure your pancakes don’t stick.
7. Spoon and Cook
Spoon the batter onto the hot griddle, using about 1/4 cup for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook until the other side is golden brown.
8. Keep Warm:
As you cook batches of pancakes, keep them warm in a low oven (around 95°C) to maintain their delightful warmth.
9. Serve with Toppings
Now, here’s where you can get creative! Serve your perfect pancakes with a variety of toppings – fresh berries, a dollop of whipped cream, a drizzle of maple syrup, or, if you’re feeling indulgent, a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
