TWO cousins and a retirement industry newcomer have been named top village managers in their state.
Cousins Anne Jack and Chiquita Walsh from Murray Gardens Retirement Village in NSW and Amanda Anthony from Beleura in Victoria all took home Village Manager of the Year gongs at the recent Retirement Living Awards.
Presented by the Retirement Living Council the awards recognise village managers who go above and beyond for their residents.
The dynamic duo of cousin co-managers from East Albury, Anne and Chiquita were awarded the NSW/ACT award. Both Albury locals the pair has been managing the Retire Australia village, with 279 residents, together since 2012.
"We grew up together so we know each other really well and it's such an honour to be able to share this job with someone I love," said Chiquita.
Anne said it was a privilege to be "part of the patchwork of our residents' lives". "You can't put a price on that - that's why we love what we do," she added.
Their achievements include the creation of a village concierge, to offer a personal service to residents and their families, including arranging transport and organising social activities and events.
Through Delta Society, a therapy dog visits the village regularly to provide companionship and comfort, and a strongly scented garden designed specifically for those with vision impairment is also being planned.
Anne and Chiquita also coordinated an art exhibition with Murray Gardens resident Holger Christen, and many local artists can now display their work in the village.
"With their attention to detail in every aspect of village life, Chiquita and Anne are a complete package," said Murray Gardens residents Marg and Ian Harrison.
Meanwhile on the Mornington Peninsula, retirement village manager Amanda Anthony took home the Victorian Village Manager of the Year award.
The manager of Beleura Village was recognised for her outstanding work with more than 380 residents.
Despite only working in the retirement village sector for just two years after a 20 year career in hospitality and tourism, in a short period of time Amanda has built Beleura's reputation, achieving full occupancy with a long waiting list of prospective residents.
Described as the 'CEO' of the RCA Villages site, Amanda liaises with village nurses to ensure that ongoing programs are relevant and assist residents to get the most out of the village.
She has established a relationship with the nearby St Macartan's Parish Primary School, and many resident volunteers attend the school for morning tea and to take lawn bowls training sessions.
Director of RCA Villages managing director Andrew Philip described Amanda as "efficient, creative, driven and insightful...with an easy disposition and a friendly ear".
"Her door is always open," he added.
Anne, Chiquita and Amanda now enter the running for the National Manager of the Year, to be presented at the National Retirement Living Awards on the Gold Coast on on November 27.
