Tributes for Jim Gibbons, past President of the RVRA NSW
Jim had been a member of the RVRA (Retirement Village Residents Association) Board since 2014, President from 2017 to 2021 and since then has been serving as the Immediate Past President.
The strong relationship the sector has with the Residents Association has with the sector in NSW can be attributed to Jim’s work during his time as President of the RVRA NSW.
He had become a very good personal friend, generous in his time and enthusiastic support of all things that supported retirement village residents and in life in general. He freely gave his time to speak at multiple DCM Institute events, our Village Summits, our LEADERS SUMMITS, our research projects and general background on editorial matters.
We will miss him.
Craig Bennett, President of the NSW RVRA, joins in to say “All those who knew Jim realised that he was a special person – a counsellor, friend, confidante. And most notably a passionate defender of the rights of residents in retirement villages in NSW.”
The members of the Board are going miss his presence, his smile, his fervour and we ask that you keep Jim’s wife Mary and his family, in your thoughts and prayers at this time.
Craig Bennett, President of the RVRA NSW
Judy Mayfield, President of the ARQRA (The Association of Residents of Queensland Retirement Villages), said was with much sadness when it heard of Jim’s passing.
Jim worked with both government and industry to present the views of residents and to ensure that their opinions were heard and respected, he contributed to the work of the national Retirement Village Residents’ Association (ARVRA) and was always willing to share his ideas with the other State presidents.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this difficult time, he will be missed by all who knew and worked with him.
Judy Mayfield, President of ARQRV
John Beagle, President of the ACT RVRA, said it is shocked and saddened at Jim’s death.
Our organisation owes its existence to the unfailing guidance Jim provided to assist us to regenerate after COVID-19. Jim was asked the best way to try and become a viable RVRA.
Over a period of many months, he provided the essential knowledge we needed. This culminated in Jim being the keynote speaker at the first ever Forum held in the ACT for existing and potential RV residents.
His presentation was excellent and extremely well received. Up until the week before he became ill he was still providing wise and considered counsel. We will miss him.
John Beagle, President of ACT RVRA
Originally published in The Weekly Source.
