After spending 10 years at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, Deb Howard (pictured left with Ann Blair) just felt ready for a change in career.
“However, I was unsure what that looked like. I realised that there were so many transferable skills from hotel management to an over 55’s community and decided quickly that this was the right career path for me,” said Deb, who has been appointed Community Manager of lngenia Lifestyle’s Natura Port Stephens at Bobs Farm in the NSW Hunter region.
“The change has been extremely positive, and the onboarding program at Ingenia is incredible. I have been lucky enough to have visited many communities in the past two months to learn what I can from each Community Manager.”
Natura Port Stephens is expected to welcome its first residents in late May with the first stage of 20 homes due for settlement.
Deb has bonded with Ann Blair, Community Manager at Plantations at Woolgoolga on the NSW Mid-North Coast. Ann was named Land Lease Employee of the Year at the Caravanning and Camping Industry Association NSW Awards for Excellence 2022.
“Ann has been a great mentor for me since day one. I was lucky enough to spend a week with Ann at Plantations where I witnessed a very well-managed community with engaged residents and staff. Ann, along with many other Community Managers, has passed on their wisdom and knowledge to allow me the skills and know how to effectively manage Natura Port Stephens,” said Deb.
From the first time Ann spoke with Deb there was a sense of collaboration.
“It been a joy to work with her and assist her to define how she would like her community to develop.
“Managing a community with all the variety of demands can be quite challenging and although everyone has a slightly different approach, consistency and integrity underpin the building of good relationships and communities.”
“Natura will be a boutique community of only 111 homes so Debra will be in a position to know her residents well. I am confident Deb’s background in hotels and her natural demeanour will set her up very well to have a wonderful experience and give her the opportunity to share her unique skills with her community”.
Ann said If she were to give specific advice to a fellow community manager would be to ‘be yourself – let yourself shine’ as this will build good rapport with others.