Sponsored jointly by aged care and retirement sector journal, ‘INsite’, and the Retirement Village Association, the award acknowledges innovation and best practice in retirement village management. 

 

Having been nominated for the category by the residents and staff of Selwyn St Andrews, Debbie picked up the title at the recent RVA conference in Queensland, at which she also gave a presentation on the village and her role as manager of this popular facility. The award follows a series of interviews held by the judging panel with residents, staff and with Debbie herself during a site visit to Cambridge, and is in recognition of her inclusive management style and the harmonious relationships she fosters with residents.

 

Debbie has been with the village for eleven years and has been manager for the past five years. Described by residents as ‘colourful and engaging’ and as having ‘a loving, caring heart’, she aims to involve residents and staff at each stage of the decision-making process, to ensure the most satisfactory outcome for all concerned. 

 

Commenting on her approach, she says: ‘The focus of our village is to create harmony by connecting people to each other.  As a result, we have a very happy and caring village, with a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere.

 

 

Owned by Selwyn Waikato Ltd, a member of The Selwyn Foundation group - one of New Zealand’s largest charitable providers of services to older people - Selwyn St Andrews is home to over 70 residents and is nestled adjacent to the centre of Cambridge, close to the picturesque St Andrew's Church. The village has 65 villas of various designs and offers a lively on-site activity and events programme, as well as easy access to all the town’s amenities.