“I thought I had hit the jackpot.”
This is how Amanda Faria, Weary Dunlop Retirement Village’s assistant to the manager, describes feeling when she saw her role advertised.
“It was the perfect time for a change, and to have a job where I can showcase my efficiency and desire to be part of a community where the ageing population is growing is amazing,” she says.
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Since joining the Wheelers Hill village last July Amanda says the sense of having “hit the jackpot” has not faded.
Amanda is the right-hand woman to village manager Kym Faulkner, the go-to-person for staff, compliance and resident satisfaction, and although her role involves many other things, she says she is on a personal mission to ensure everyone at the village feels their voice matters.
“I love interacting with the residents in the independent and serviced apartments.
“I try and visit the care centre, but my main focus is the staff.
“I always make sure I greet them, visit them, make sure I am there to listen to them no matter how hard their question might be, or how busy I am.
“I will try my best to have an answer for them as everyone’s role at the village is important.”
Amanda says she “always dreamt of a job like this”, however having two young sons meant she sought work which enabled her to spend school holidays with her children who are now aged 15 and 17.
“I have a Bachelor of Business Administration, and I worked in private schools for 20 years.
“Now my sons are very independent, and I wanted to be part of an organisation where the company leaders acknowledge us and give people an opportunity to grow.”
In the past six months she has developed many skills she would not have had it not been for Ryman, she says.
“Kym, the village manager, gave me this opportunity and I am so forever grateful to be working with the dynamic team at Weary Dunlop.
“Even though it is faster-paced than my former jobs, in many ways it is easier because I love what I do.”
Amanda says her goal is “to stay with Ryman for as long as I can”.
“I also want to make sure everyone continues to feel happy and satisfied in the place they call work and home.”
