Veronica Jamison is the CEO of Shepparton Villages (SRV) in northern Victoria, approximately 181km northeast of Melbourne.
She also acts as Village Manager for its three facilities near each other: Tarcoola, Shepparton North; Banksia Gardens, Kialla, and Rodney Park in Mooroopna.
Overall, SRV offers 270 homes/units, ranging from comfortable one- and two-bedroom units through to the larger two-bedroom and study homes with single or double garages. Each has access to a range of essential care and lifestyle services close by, including a twenty-four hour on call maintenance service and remote emergency monitoring.
Each of SRV’s villages has a Residential Aged Care Home co-located on site and overall, SRV operate a total of 286 residential aged care places at its three locations. In total, around 700 people call Shepparton Villages home.
“It’s a privilege to work in our residents’ homes because, over time, this place becomes their home. This work keeps you connected to your own values, and you learn something new from them every day,” she said.
Veronica prescribes to the “Mum Test” and encourages her team to do the same.
“Would I want my Mum to live here?”, “Would I serve my Mum that meal?”.
“In the ever-evolving landscape of aged care, this Mum test mantra reminds us of the importance of choice, respect, care, passion, and teamwork,” she said.
My team
Barry Curtis with resident Edie.
As in every village, the welfare of its residents is paramount, and the dedicated resident committee’s keep a watchful eye over village residents, without being intrusive, said Veronica.
“The dedicated Sales & Admission team led by Executive Manager, Corporate Services, Murray Burls, really focuses on delivering on the promises they make when people come to live with us. As local people, they often already know potential residents. Murray and his team work hard at establishing and maintaining a personable yet professional connection with all village residents. This touch really contributes to a positive environment in each of our Villages,” Veronica said.
“Ed McNair, Projects & Maintenance Manager, leads a team of dedicated tradesman, gardeners and maintenance people. Given each Village has its own gardeners and maintenance teams, this has enabled trusting and respectful relationships to develop and grow between the village residents and the SRV team. Nothing is ever too much trouble for the team and this evident at the resident meetings, where residents constantly praise the efforts of the team.
SRV’s maintenance team: (From left) Rod Breen, Samuel Kennedy, Rod Allen, Barry Curtis and Glenn Daldy.
“From dealing with little things, like rubbish removal, smoke detector maintenance to the trickier things like floods, addressing resident welfare concerns, through to advocating to local politicians on the big issues that impact people living in retirement villages, the entire SRV team respond with the same calm and cheerful attitude, which is in harmony with SRV’s values of Respect, Care, Teamwork, Choice and Passion”.
Veronica adds she is proud of her team and the feeling is mutual.