Roslyn Prentice has been preparing for her new role as Ryman Healthcare’s Burwood East Retirement Village manager for the better part of 40 years.
Having led a national sales team at Australia Post, experienced the loss of a parent, and been an active member of the Girl Guides since she was a child, Roslyn’s experiences have set her on a trajectory almost inevitably leading to Ryman Healthcare.
“Some of the things I loved about Australia Post are the things I love about Ryman,” she says.
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“And being the leader of a Girl Guide unit is not all that different.
“That closeness to the community, a trusted brand, a personalised brand.”
While Ryman’s construction team are busy completing the 450-resident village in Burwood East, Roslyn has wasted no time in diving into a wealth of projects.
Since starting in early September at Ryman’s Nellie Melba Retirement Village in Wheelers Hill, she has been involved in the bushland planting project, craft room, community garden, Fine Dining and a Christmas breakfast for the Nellie Melba and Weary Dunlop Retirement Village contractors.
“I was hired in advance of my village opening because the company is quite willing to invest in the village managers so that by the time our villages open, we have gained so much experience,” she says.
As part of her preparation for managing the Burwood East Village, Roslyn spent time shadowing the village manager of Ryman’s Logan Campbell Retirement Village in Auckland, New Zealand.
“That was just fabulous,” she says.
With new residents signing up for her village each day, Roslyn says she is right where she is meant to be.
“I had been wanting to change industry.
“Logistics is all well and good, but I wanted something more community minded for what will probably be my last career move.
“My dad had Motor neuron disease (MND) and he passed away about 14 years ago.
“I would have loved for him to come somewhere like this and just be cared for in an environment that is calm, and peaceful, and just beautiful.”
Having experienced the outstanding care and community at Nellie Melba, she is looking forward to “getting out there and having a bowl and a Happy Hour glass of wine” when the Burwood East Village opens.
“Close friends of neighbours of mine, and friends of the family have already signed up for the village.
“I’m really excited about watching our residents move into the buildings and watching the village evolve.”
The first residents are due to move in around July next year.
The village will include 174 independent apartments, 96 serviced apartments, and 114 aged care beds, including specialist dementia care.
