Why this operator celebrates the success of their village professionals
A Sydney-based not-for-profit is quietly demonstrating what it looks like when professional development is treated as a strategic priority rather than a compliance exercise.
Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution (RFBI) recently took to LinkedIn to recognise the achievements of several of its Retirement Living Village Coordinators who have reached significant milestones in the DCM Institute’s Professional Development Program.
The message was simple and telling.
“Supporting our team’s growth is the most direct way we support our residents’ wellbeing,” RFBI said.
That belief translated into public recognition of three village professionals whose commitment to learning has placed them among the most engaged practitioners in the country.
- Kristen Smee, RFBI Cessnock Masonic Village, joined the 2,000 Club – a milestone reached by only a handful of professionals nationwide since the program began in 2022.
- Rachael Trewartha (left), RFBI Hawkins Masonic Village, was inducted into the 1,000 Club, a benchmark achieved by just 150 professionals across the sector.
- Tracy Howarth, across RFBI’s Armidale, Glen Innes, Moonbi and Tamworth Masonic Villages, also reached the 1,000 Club milestone.
For RFBI, these numbers are not abstract metrics.
“These aren’t just points on a tally,” the organisation noted. “They represent hundreds of hours dedicated to strengthening capability across dementia awareness, disaster readiness, emotional intelligence and village operations.”
The practical impact is felt daily. More consistent operations. More confident conversations. Stronger relationships between village teams and residents. And a level of assurance for residents that the people managing their community are supported, current and professionally equipped.
RFBI’s public acknowledgement of its team sends a broader signal to the sector. When operators invest in structured, ongoing professional development, they are not just supporting staff retention or meeting regulatory expectations. They are building operational resilience and improving resident outcomes at the same time.
As RFBI concluded in its message to staff:
“Thank you for your dedication to making our villages places residents are proud to call home.”
At DCM Institute, this is exactly the connection we aim to reinforce – that learning, when embedded into day-to-day practice, strengthens villages from the inside out.
If you’d like to understand how structured professional development can support your village professionals and your communities, you can explore the DCM Institute program.
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