Lexi Connor, Village Manager of RetireAustralia's Boambee Gardnes Retirement Village in Toormina on the NSW North Coast, is this year's winner of the Brisbane-based company's Family Award.
In late In late October 2021, Boambee Gardens Retirement Village suffered a destructive hail storm, with the community centre and residents' homes suffering a significant amount of damage.
“Without giving it a second thought, Lexi jumped into action, making sure residents were safe and dry while she organised emergency accommodation. While some residents stayed in the local area, some went to Glengara Care, located on the NSW Central Coast,” said RetireAustralia’s Chief Operating Officer Simon Fawssett, pictured presenting the award to Lexi.
“Moving 14 residents to Glengara Care was no small task. It involved physically packing and moving residents, including their furniture. Lexi went the extra mile by driving the bus to ensure the residents arrived safely. Of course, she could not have done it without the help of her team, in particular Senior PCA Marilyn Unterrheiner who was also recognised with an RA Family Award nomination for her efforts.
“Lexi kept the vibrancy of the village alive by modifying village activities and redeploying village staff who could not perform their usual duties until everyone could return home and the repairs were complete.”
Highly commended in the Family Award were:
- Dianne Bear, Village Manager, Belrose Country Club Retirement Village, in Sydney’s Northern Suburbs,
- Michael McMullen, Village Manager, Drayton Villas Retirement Village, in Toowoomba City, QLD, and
- Brett Halley, Maintenance, also Drayton Villas Retirement Village.
RetireAustralia was bought by infrastructure investor Infratil and the government-owned NZ Super for $640 million in December 2014,
Today, RetireAustralia has over 5,000 residents across 29 retirement villages in NSW, QLD and SA with an integrated home care offering, four development projects under construction, and a significant development pipeline.
