Why Sam Loves Being a Village Operator
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Sam’s family company runs the Bondi Beach Astra Retirement Village. Here, in his words, are the best bits about running a retirement village:
"Running a retirement village is not something that I envisaged doing when I was at school or university. It just kind of landed in my lap but it’s a good fit because I’m all about enjoying life and having fun with friends. And that’s simply what a retirement village is all about. It’s kind of like a university college for over 55s. Plenty of parties, socialising, chatting, smiling and laughing.
No work, all play!!
Since I’ve been managing the village, my main goal has been to support the residents wherever possible because I had elderly parents and I could see firsthand that things we take for granted, for them get harder or take longer or sometimes just change, which can be confusing. Once this aspect is covered, I’ve enjoyed building up the social side of the village to build a bond between the residents themselves, then widened it to include us (the village operator), the Owners' Corporation and the building itself which we all are immensely proud of. We have managed to connect also with the Bondi Beach community and now I’m trying to reach further. Who knows where this will stop!
I worked out pretty early that the emotional and social connections that are forged in the village are so important for a successful retirement. And let's face it, there’s no second chance at retirement. Once it’s over, you can’t have another go at it, so you have to get it right.
Most people readily acknowledge that as we age, our bodies break down if we don’t use them, but because it’s not as visible people forget that so do our minds. And there’s no point living without a sound mind… The village comradery forms an important basis for both good mental health and good physical health. So much better than living alone in the family house (struggling to maintain it) or an impersonal strata unit block (with strangers for neighbours that you never see).
The health benefits from the laughs and cheers around a ping pong table can’t be underestimated and it’s obvious why so many residents say to me “This move was the best move I made. I wish I’d done it sooner. I am so happy”. I admit I am biased but I have to agree with them: It probably is the best move they made!!!
Actually, that is probably the best part of my job; hearing that…"