The Village Manager of Bolton Clarke’s Rowes Bay Village in Townsville, in northeastern Queensland, says the needs of residents in retirement living is evolving.

“Village managers have to be different,” Stephen said after receiving his award in Brisbane.

“The new generation coming into the village is looking for more. A couple of years ago they would come in and show them a nice villa, they were happy.

“Now there’s a need for leading-edge technology, a manager, a relationships expert, a social director and day-to-day operations. You now have to be multi-gifted.”

Jodie Shelley (pictured below), Village Manager at RetireAustralia’s Tarragal Glen Retirement Village in Erina, on the NSW Central Coast, is part of the professional development program DCM Institute.

She said the ACT/NSW Village Manager of the Year award she received in Sydney on Thursday, February 16, is recognition of the work that she and her team are doing at Tarragal Glen.

“I've been involved as a VM for 12 years. Three years ago, I was given an opportunity to go and work for RetireAustralia. I have to say, it's probably the best decision I ever made,” she said on receiving her award.

“I love my village, I love my residents, and it's an honour to work in the industry.”

RetireAustralia CEO Dr Brett Robinson congratulated Jodie, stating she manages one of its biggest villages.

Stephen and Jodie are now in the running for the National title which will be announced on 27 June on the Gold Coast as part of the 2024 National Retirement Living Summit.