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What got us here, Leanne Hughes, won't get us there. Keynote Speaker Village Summit 2026 Stacked white Leanne Hughes (4)

PERTH

10 NOVEMBER

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ADELAIDE

12 NOVEMBER

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BRISBANE

17 NOVEMBER

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MELBOURNE

24 NOVEMBER

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SYDNEY

26 NOVEMBER

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Welcome to VILLAGE SUMMIT 2025

Join us for Australia’s premier leadership and professional development event for the retirement living sector.

Each year, VILLAGE SUMMIT brings together more than 600 Village Managers, Community Managers, Sales Professionals, Regional Leaders and Head Office Executives across five capital cities — for a day of inspiration, growth, and connection.

In 2025, we explore the theme “Wellbeing, Done Well”, a deep dive into how leaders can foster thriving communities by prioritising the wellbeing of self, staff, and residents.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this powerful conversation — and set the course for a stronger, more connected future.

Register Now

Welcome to VILLAGE SUMMIT 2026

Join us for Australia’s premier leadership and professional development event for the retirement living sector.

Each year, Village Summit brings together more than 650 Village Managers, Community Managers, Sales Professionals, Regional Leaders and Head Office Executives across five capital cities — for a day of inspiration, growth, and connection.

 In 2026, we explore the theme “Redefining Leadership in Community Living: What got us here, won’t get us there”, a deep dive into how leaders can foster thriving communities by prioritising the wellbeing of self, staff, and residents.

Register Now

With a career spanning executive leadership, organisational transformation and cultural strategy, Leanne brings a fresh and deeply practical perspective to leading in times of change.
 In this exclusive keynote, Leanne will explore the role connection plays in redefining the future of leadership in retirement communities, and why fostering relationships has never been more important. We’re thrilled to welcome Leanne Hughes as keynote speaker for VILLAGE SUMMIT 2026. A dynamic speaker, leadership strategist and expert in human-centred change. Keynote Speaker: Leanne Hughes Leanne Hughes (3)

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this powerful conversation — and set the course for a stronger, more connected future.

Registration Information

A single delegate pass includes:

  • Full-day access to VILLAGE SUMMIT in your nearest capital city
  • Access to all keynote and speaker presentations
  • Networking opportunities with peers, operators, and service providers
  • Morning tea, lunch and event materials provided

Registration Options:

  • DCM Institute Participants: Registration is included in your annual enrolment.
  • Guests and Sector Colleagues: $1095 + GST per delegate.
Register Now

PERTH

Village Summit Perth, the premier event for managers in the aged care and retirement living

10 NOVEMBER
CROWN PERTH

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ADELAIDE

Village Summit Adelaide, the premier event for managers in the aged care and retirement living

12 NOVEMBER
GRAND CHANCELLOR HOTEL

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BRISBANE

Village Summit Brisbane, the premier event for managers in the aged care and retirement living

17 NOVEMBER
THE EMPORIUM SOUTH BANK

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MELBOURNE

Village Summit Melbourne, the premier event for managers in the aged care and retirement living

24 NOVEMBER
RACV CITY CLUB

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SYDNEY

Village Summit Sydney, the premier event for managers in the aged care and retirement living

26 NOVEMBER
DOCKSIDE – COCKLE BAY WHARF

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More Announcements Coming Soon

Keep checking this page as we reveal the line-up of inspiring sector leaders, special guests and sponsors joining us in each capital city.

Leanne Hughes
Leanne Hughes

Keynote Speaker

Leanne Hughes

Keynote Speaker at each VILLAGE SUMMIT Event.

Chris Baynes
Chris Baynes
Executive Director
DCM Group
Chris Baynes

Speaker at VILLAGE SUMMIT Sydney.

James Wiltshire (1)
James Wiltshire
CEO
DCM Group
James Wiltshire

Speaker at all VILLAGE SUMMIT events.

MORE SPEAKERS TBA...

What some of our participants had to say about VILLAGE SUMMIT

rob morris keyton
Emma
Patrrick OMeley Keyton
Lisa

 "I think Village Summit has a really positive feel. It's something that you go away feeling special because you were here."

Rob Morris

Senior Village Manager – Keyton

"The Village Summit had such great energy! Lisa and Minter Ellison were standouts, and I’m walking away with powerful words and insights to bring back to my team. DCMI has been incredibly helpful in my professional development—those masterclasses are gold!"

Emma Dumond

Village Manager – Dee Why RSL

"I come from a background that's not retirement living. So coming into this industry was really informative through DCMI. I learned a lot of new things, so it was really great coming into the industry and continuing my improvement and professional development."

Patrick O'Meley

Village Manager – Keyton

"As someone new to the industry, DCMI’s support has been a game changer. The Village Summit gave me practical tools to bounce back fast, and Lisa McGuinness Smith’s session was truly inspiring."

Lisa Boyle

RSL Lifecare Regional Manager

Thank you to our Sponsors of VILLAGE SUMMIT 2026!

Platinum Sponsor

Coffee Sponsor

Lunchtime Sponsor

Network Drinks Sponsor

Bronze Sponsors

Village Summit 2025 Photo Gallery

Relive the moments from the Village Summit 2025 from all five capital cities. 

Find out what last year's sponsors said about VILLAGE SUMMIT 2025:

Thank you to all the speakers who took part in the event

Chiou See Anderson
Chiou See Anderson
Board Chair
Conpago
Chiou See Anderson

Speaker at the Brisbane VILLAGE SUMMIT Event.

Gabbie Budai
Gabbie Budai
Head of Resident Wellbeing & Customer Experience
Levande
Gabbie Budai

Speaker at the Sydney VILLAGE SUMMIT Event.

Sara Blunt
Sara Blunt

CEO
Kalyra

Sara Blunt

Speaker at the Adelaide VILLAGE SUMMIT Event.

Headshots (20)
Sabrina Brar

Retirement Living Village Manager
Anglicare

Sabrina Brar

Panel speaker at the Sydney VILLAGE SUMMIT Event.

Marsha Cadman
Marsha Cadman
COO
Ryman Healthcare
Marsha Cadman

Speaker at the Melbourne VILLAGE SUMMIT Event.

Allen
Allen Candy
Consultant
Torrens Health
Allen Candy

Speaker at the Adelaide VILLAGE SUMMIT Event.

David
David Cox
CEO
Curtin Heritage Living
David Cox

Speaker at the Perth VILLAGE SUMMIT Event.

Simon
Simon Fawssett
COO
RetireAustralia
Simon Fawssett

Speaker at the Brisbane VILLAGE SUMMIT Event.

The DCM Institute team - Tiffany
Tiffany Folbigg

Operations Manager
DCM Institute

Tiffany Folbigg

Speaker at each VILLAGE SUMMIT Event.

Louise
Louise Garvin
General Manager, Retirement Division
Karidis Retirement Villages
Louise Garvin

Speaker at the Adelaide VILLAGE SUMMIT Event.

kara
Kara Jones
Village Manager
Keyton
Kara Jones

Panel speaker at the Perth VILLAGE SUMMIT Event.

Josh
Josh McFarlane

Strategy & Impact Manager
Catholic Healthcare

Josh McFarlane

Speaker at the Sydney VILLAGE SUMMIT Event.

Sharon
Sharon Molineux
Resort Manager
The Henley on Broadwater
Sharon Molineux

Panel speaker at the Brisbane VILLAGE SUMMIT Event.

Dean
Dean Moran
Senior Village Manager
BlueCare
Dean Moran

Panel speaker at the Brisbane VILLAGE SUMMIT Event.

Tony
Tony Randello
CEO
Aveo Group
Tony Randello

Speaker at the Melbourne VILLAGE SUMMIT Event.

Matt Laidre
Katie Symonds
Operations Manager
Flexicare
Katie Symonds

Speaker at the Melbourne VILLAGE SUMMIT Event.

Julie
Julie Venning
Wellbeing and Retirement Manager
Torrens Health
Julie Venning

Speaker at the Perth VILLAGE SUMMIT Event.

Jenny
Jenny Williams
COO
Amana Living
Jenny Williams

Speaker at the Perth VILLAGE SUMMIT Event.

Sarah Williamson
Sarah Williamson
Retirement Village Manager
St. Louis Estate Claremont
Sarah Williamson

Panel speaker at the Perth VILLAGE SUMMIT Event.

Edward Xuereb
Edward Xuereb
Executive General Manager
BASScare
Edward Xuereb

Speaker at the Melbourne VILLAGE SUMMIT Event.

If you are interested in being a sponsor at VILLAGE SUMMIT 2026, please contact us for more information here: dcmi@thedcmgroup.com.au