A Victorian retirement village and its manager, and a NSW-based exercise physiologist have been honoured for their excellence and achievements at the retirement living industry’s national event.
Kerry Rentsch and The Oaks/Walmsley Friendship Village, operated by Australian Unity Retirement Living, secured the 2013 National Manager of the Year award in front of colleagues, peers and industry leaders at the Retirement Living Summit in Melbourne last Thursday.
The Manager of the Year award is the highest annual accolade in the retirement living industry, recognising the village manager, staff and residents who work towards the ultimate goal of a successful, happy and harmonious village.
Ms Rentsch has managed The Oaks/Walmsley Friendship Village for the past two years and has 27 years of experience in the retirement, aged care and health industry. She has significantly reduced costs in the residents’ budget, while increasing service levels and productivity, and created a private dining room for fine dining experiences with family.
The other major award, the Rising Generation Award, gives acclaim to young professionals who display innovation and leadership in their work and uphold the values of the industry. This award was won by Martin Bending. Mr Bending has pioneered an exercise physiology program for residents at the Constitution Hill Retirement Village in Sydney as Rehabilitation Services Manager, with positive health outcomes for all involved. Similar programs are now being initiated in other Australian Unity villages.
Joëlle Muns, Business Manager at the Retirement Living Council and coordinator of both national awards, says the awards carry on the retirement living industry’s tradition of rewarding outstanding achievement recognised in retirement living industry. The award programs also promote a clear message to the community of the retirement living industry’s commitment to the future.
“The Manager of the Year and Rising Generation Award received a very high standard of nominations this year, so Kerry and Martin’s victories are particularly meritorious,” Ms Muns says. “We hope their achievements and recognition will inspire others in our sector to strive for continuous improvement and make a difference to the lives of the senior Australians they serve.”
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