Why this Village Manager is WA’s best

“Regular team meetings are a cornerstone of her management approach. These meetings are used to delegate tasks, provide updates, and ensure that all team members are aligned with the project’s goals,” said David, National Village Manage of the Year in 2020.

“Kara’s exceptional conflict resolution skills and thorough knowledge of relevant legislation enable her to facilitate issues as needed. She handles conflicts with a calm and professional demeanour, ensuring that all parties feel heard and respected.”

Kara also has a strong focus on community engagement by “creating opportunities for different age groups to interact and share experiences”.

“These interactions not only enrich the lives of residents but also help bridge generational gaps, fostering mutual understanding and respect,” David added.

Kara joins DCM Institute participant Deon Moran, Village Manager of BlueCare’s Fraser Shores 1 retirement community in Hervey Bay, on Queensland’s Fraser Coast,  former DCM Institute participant Melinda Akehurst, who is Community Manager at Aveo’s Bayview Gardens retirement living community in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, and Kirstie Smith, Levande Templestowe Community village manager in the running to be crowned Australia’s Village Manager of the Year at the RLC’s National Retirement Living Summit in Brisbane in June.

The judges for this year’s Village Manager of the Year are James Wiltshire, Executive Director, DCM Institute; Jodie Prosser, Retirement Living Executive, Person Centred Software; Kim Teudt, Chairperson Queensland Retirement Living Committee, Property Council of Australia; Natalie Smith, General Manager – Retirement Living at UnitingCare Queensland/Blue Care; Wayne Corbett, National Business Development Executive at Programmed Property Services; Sigrid Adams, General Manager at Village Solutions Australia; Nathan Broad, Regional General Manager – Retirement, Australian Unity; Gabriel Duque, Director, Plus Architecture; Meaghan Morice, Architect l Partner at O’Neill Architecture Pty Ltd;  Andrew Veitch, Director, accountant RA Veitch & Co; Eleanor Sondergeld, National Policy Manager, Sustainability & Regulatory Affairs, Property Council of Australia; Margaret Bridge, Retirement Living Operations Consultant at Bridge Advisory Group; Aidan O’Flaherty, Chief Operating Officer, Aged Care and Retirement Industry; and Rulla Asmar, Principal at Marchese Partners.