Retirement Village Residents Association-aims

The Association aims to:

• Assist residents to be aware of and understand their rights and obligations.

• Defend and extend the rights of residents in Retirement Villages.

• Encourage residents to exercise their rights, to have input into and participate in the decision-making processes affecting their lives.

• Encourage and assist residents to form and participate in the functioning of their residents' Committees.

• Offer information and advice to intending residents. RVRA cannot offer legal advice, but can direct people to appropriate organizations.

• Encourage the development of positive relationships between residents and management.

Since its inception, the Retirement Village Residents' Association (RVRA) has worked tirelessly so that residents in retirement villages can have greater legislated protection.

It had significant input in the introduction of the Retirement Villages Act 1999 and the Retirement Villages Regulations 2000.

In March 2004 the New South Wales Government commenced a review of the Act. After the tabling of two Consultation Bills the review culminated in the passing of the Retirement Villages Amendment Act by both Houses of Parliament on 4 December 2008.

During these four and a half years representatives of RVRA worked closely with the five Ministers of Fair Trading and their staff, and officials from the Commerce Department of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), as well as lobbying continually with politicians of all parties to ensure the new Act had the best possible outcome for village residents.

Working For You

RVRA co-operates with such bodies as:

• The Aged Care Rights Services (TARS)

• Minister's Advisory Council

• The Australian Consumers' Association

• The Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association

• Council of Social Services of New South Wales.

• Council of the Ageing (COTA NSW).

When invited by Residents' Committees, or by individual village residents, RVRA will try and supply speakers to explain the rights and obligations of residents and operators. Speakers will also update residents on current developments in the retirement industry, and other items of interest. When visiting villages, speakers will take the opportunity to distribute brochures so that existing members can recruit new ones.

The RVRA publishes a quarterly Newsletter on current developments in the retirement village industry.

The RVRA was formed in 1989. It is the only organization wholly representing residents of retirement villages in NSW.

The RVRA is apolitical, non-commercial and is not affiliated to other parties outside the interests of village residents.

The RVRA is a democratic organization which has an Annual General Meeting each year in August, where all members may participate in the election of their committee for the following twelve months.

The RVRA's principal sources of funding come from Membership Fees and occasional donations. These finance the administrative costs, the production of a quarterly Newsletter circulated to all members, publicity and other expenditure associated with running the organization.

The Future:

RVRA is continually looking at other ways to increase the service we give our members.

These include more frequent visits to villages by Committee members, and working with comparable Associations in other States to build a nation-wide approach to Governments and Operators.

2008-09 President, Ian Hooper addressing a Residents' Meeting.

RVRA * RVRA * RVRA * RVRA * RVRA * RVRA * RVRA * RVRA * RVRA * RVRA