villages.com.au had a chat to Stephen Lind, the Village Manager of BaptistCare Yarra Rossa, its new $55 million facility in Red Hill, ACT. The first residents arrived in April.
Stephen, tell me about yourself?
“I’m new to Canberra, having relocated from Sydney last year. I’m very much enjoying the change. The move prompted the opportunity for new adventures and a new career path.
“When I first saw the role advertised I was attracted to the strong community aspect, as I enjoy my days being filled with interactions and connections with people. I’ve held previous management roles in other industries, which have provided me with ample knowledge and experience to deal with the varied aspects of the role. So far so good!”
Is this your first Village Manager’s role?
“Yes, I’m new to BaptistCare and new to the retirement village industry. I see this is an exciting adventure for me that allows me to connect with community and people.”
Where did you work previously?
“Most recently, I was working in operations management for garden maintenance companies in Sydney. I worked my way up to these roles after training as a horticulturist and spending a number of years on the tools. Prior to this, I worked in management roles in the self-storage industry.”
BaptistCare Yarra Rossa has incredible landscaped gardens and walking tracks through the retirement community, as well as views of the Red Hill Nature Reserve, so I’m fortunate to be still surrounded by great gardens even in this role.
What inspires you about the role?
“This role is about the variety of tasks and the opportunity to work with a range of people with different skill sets and life experiences.
“Everybody in the team has taken a different path to get to their current positions, and I learn something new from them as we work together to build a community for the residents to enjoy and thrive in.
“Talking with the residents provides the same – everyone has a journey they are on, and I’m privileged to be leading a retirement community where I can benefit from hearing their collective stories and wisdom.”
What tips would you give to others thinking of such a position in the future?
“Be prepared to be both busy and surprised. You will see people at their best, and sometimes, having a difficult day.
“The role is varied in ways that you won’t expect, but for me that is one of the highlights. You need to be prepared to learn. Coming from outside the industry, while it is a steep learning curve in terms of regulation and compliance, I feel incredibly supported by BaptistCare’s leadership to succeed in this area.”
Any impressions of Yarra Rossa yet?
“The retirement community, including the outdoor areas, apartment designs and facilities are modern and well-equipped.
“The facilities will provide opportunities to build community and offer that resort-style feel, which residents are already enjoying. Being a brand-new community, it is evolving every day. I look forward to being a part of this evolution with the team and the residents over the coming years.”
