Retirement Village Residents Association-Objectives

NEWSLETTERS

Members of the RVRA are entitled to receive a quarterly newsletter.

Included in the December 2011 edition:

Members of the RVRA are entitled to receive a quarterly newsletter. The latest edition is for December 2011. It will include:

- An article by the RVRA Honorary Solicitor, Peter Hill at the AGM reviewing the CTTT hearings for the past year.

- A report by the President, Jan Pritchett, outlining some aspects of the RVRA work in the past three months

- A report by the Secretary, Malcolm McKenzie commenting on his work with the Minister's Expert Committee for the Standardisation of Contracts, and the Retirement Villages Advisory Council.

- A summary of the CTTT hearings in which RVRA have been involved in the past year. CTTT Results -
     1. Queens Lake Village & Aevum (Stockland
     2. Scalabrini Village & Scalabrini Village Ltd
     3. Carey Bay Village & Anglican Care
     4. The Landings & Sakkara Holdings
     5. Alloura Waters & Living Choice
     6. Leura Fairways Retirement Village & Leura Fairways Partnership.

- City Futures Project - update

- Did You Know? Items on:
     1. Long Term Maintenance Contracts
     2. No GST payable on Deferred Management Fees
     3. Non-Compliance with CTTT orders

- Written Ballots and Special Resolutions

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

Included in the September 2011 edition:

Members of the RVRA are entitled to receive a quarterly newsletter. The latest edition is for September 2011. It will include: A full report of the RVRA AGM on 26th August, including:

- A report by the President, Malcolm McKenzie, outlining some aspects of the RVRA work in the past year

- A report by the Secretary, Jan Pritchett commenting on communications with residents over the past year.

- An Auditor's report of the FY 2010-2011

- An address by the RVRA Honorary Solicitor, Peter Hill at the AGM.

- An address by The Commissioner for Fair Trading, Mr Rod Stowe, answering questions posed by residents.

- Minutes of the 2011 AGM

- Other articles about:

- Free Help to Save Power

- Cost of Marketing Units - advice from Fair Trading

- The City Futures project

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

Included in the June 2011 edition:

- An update on the situation with the case of Queens Lake Village versus Aevum / Stockland

- A report by the President, Malcolm McKenzie, outlining some aspects of the RVRA work in the past three months

- A report from Vice-President John Cooper about current issues and the RVRA web site.

- A report by the Secretary, Jan Pritchett commenting on communications with residents, and the arrangements and dates and venues for seminars.

- An article by the RVRA Honorary Solicitor, Peter Hill regarding charges for vacant units.

- An article on the RVRA Archives being compiled by Hugh Bell

- CPI for calculation in village budgets for 2011-2012

- Information about the RVRA Legal Support Fund.

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

Included in the March 2011 edition:

- An update on the situation with the case of Queens Lake Village versus Aevum / Stockland

- A report by the President, Malcolm McKenzie, outlining some aspects of the RVRA work in the past three months

- A report from Vice-President John Cooper about the RVRA Study Group activities, the RVRA forum and web site.

- A report by the Secretary, Jan Pritchett commenting on communications with residents, and the arrangements and dates and venues for seminars in 2011.

- An article by the RVRA Honorary Solicitor, Peter Hill at the AGM regarding the way residents should examine village budgets.

- Further information about the Sydney CPI and its relationship to village budgets.

- The news page from the ACT Steering Committee regarding their progress with the resident group in ACT and their proposed new legislation.

- Reports from the secretary about Aussie Farmer's Direct; the RVRA Solar Panel General Information document; and Volunteers.

- An explanation of the way in RVRA can support residents with CTTT hearings and the Guidelines determining this support.

- Information about the RVRA Legal Support Fund.

Included in the December 2010 edition:

- A report by the President, Malcolm McKenzie, outlining some aspects of the RVRA work in the past three months

- A report from Vice-President John Cooper about the RVRA Study Group activities, the RVRA forum and web site.

- A report by the Secretary, Jan Pritchett commenting on communications with residents, volunteers, membership increase and proposed seminars in 2011.

- An article by the RVRA Honorary Solicitor Peter Hill at the AGM regarding the 90 day Settling in period and the problems arising from this section of the Retirement Villages Act.

- The news page from the ACT Steering Committee regarding their progress with the new resident group in ACT.

- "Did You Know?" item regarding the change in legislation about resident's voting rights in their village.

- A media release from the Australian Taxation Office regarding GST payments in villages.

- A summary of the work of TARS ( The Aged Rights Service)

- A report from the secretary about an Aussie Farmer's Direct Presentation which was promoted by the RVRA

- A report about the formation of the Australian Retirement Village Residents Association (ARVRA) in October.

Included in the September 2010 edition:

- A report by the President, Malcolm McKenzie, outlining the committee activities for 2019-2010 as presented at the RVRA Annual General Meeting on 2nd September.

- A report from Vice-President John Cooper about the past year and his ideas for the future of the RVRA, the RVRA forum and web site.

- A report by the Secretary, Jan Pritchett commenting on communications with residents over 2009 - 2010. A Calendar showing the additional activities the committee were involved in over this time is also printed in the newsletter.

- An article about the speech given by the RVRA Honorary Solicitor Peter Hill at the AGM regarding the new RVRA Constitution and his comments other contractual issues.

- The speech given at the AGM by Ms Anthea Kerr, representing the Minister for Fair Trading, Virginia Judge.

- The speech given by Greg Aplin, the Shadow Minister for Fair Trading at the AGM.

- The news page from the ACT Steering Committee regarding their progress with the new resident group in ACT.

- "Did You Know?" item regarding the Management Meetings now required by the RV Legislation.

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

Included in the June 2010 edition:

- A report by the President, Malcolm McKenzie outlining the committee activities with the RVRA Finance Seminars, dealing with budget queries, the ACT initiative, the RVRA Constitution, the forthcoming elections for the committee and the planned meetings.

- A report from Vice-President John Cooper about budget issues, the RVRA forum and web site, the coming elections for committee and his reflections on Retirement Village Living.

- A report by the Secretary, Jan Pritchett commenting on Email use and communications with members. Jan also reports on the Finance Seminars and the Information Pack, and on the meetings held in the ACT when an ACT Resident Group was established.

- An article by the RVRA Honorary Solicitor Peter Hill titled "Be Better Informed".

- "Did You Know?" items regarding Unfair Contract Terms Law 2009, some laws regarding the financial arrangements after vacating a village, and British Pensions.

- The venue and date for the 2010 AGM and associated information.

- An article about the Just Better Care Group

Included in the March 2010 edition:

- A report by the President, Malcolm McKenzie outlining the committee activities on the Retirement Village Amendment Bill 2008 and the Regulation 2009, the RVRA Finance Seminars, the appointment of a part time Administration Assistant to assist with committee work, and the RVRA Constitution.

- A report from Vice-President John Cooper and leader of the Study Group about their deliberations and activities. He also reports on the web site and web forum and surveys

- A report by the Secretary, Jan Pritchett detailing the arrangements for the Finance Seminars and the Information Pack which will be available to those who cannot attend, Email use and communications with members.

- An article by the RVRA Honorary Solicitor Peter Hill titled "Carrying Over Budget Deficits".

- An article by Gladys Waugh AOM titled "RVRA History - Can You Help?"

- A "Did You Know?" item regarding financial clauses in the Retirement Village Act 1999 as Amended.

- Two pages of information about the changes to the Retirement Villages Act 1999 and the Regulation 2009.

- Venues and dates for the Finance Seminars

Included in the December 2009 edition:

- A report by the President, Malcolm McKenzie outlining the committee activities on the RVRAA Constitution, RVA National Conference and the Coalition of Interstate R V Residents Bodies, and the Retirement Village Amendment Bill 2008 - Draft Regulation 2009.

- A report by the Secretary, Jan Pritchett detailing the meetings and submissions involved in Regulation 2009, RVRA Sub-committees, Email use and the newsletter.

- A report from Vice-President John Cooper and leader of the Study Group about their deliberations and activities. He also reports on the web site and web forum and surveys and village visits by committee members.

- An article by the RVRA Honorary Solicitor Peter Hill titled "Capital Replacement Funds Go Back to Operators".

- An article by Committee Member, Philip Pearson titled "A Resident's Right to Vote".

- Forward notice of proposed Education Seminars.

- A "Did You Know?" item regarding Section 47 of the Retirement Village Act 1999 as Amended, which states that "A village rule is of no effect to the extent that it is inconsistent with this or any other Act or law".

- An appeal for an auditor for the RVRA.

- Christmas Wishes

Included in the September 2009 edition:

* A report presented to the Annual General Meeting held on 28th August 2009, by the President Ian Hooper giving an overview of events from August 2008 to August 2009.

* A report presented to the Annual General Meeting by the Secretary, Malcolm McKenzie.

* A list of new office bearers of the RVRA and members of the committee for 2009 -2010 with their contact details.

* A report of events at the AGM.

* A summary of the presentation by Dr Ian C Smith at the AGM.

* An article by the RVRA Honorary Solicitor Peter Hill titled "What Happens if an Operator Goes Broke".

* A report from John Wheeler, Vice President and leader of the Study Group about their deliberations and activities.

* A report from John Cooper about the web site and web forum.

* A summary of committee visits to villages and activities.

* A thank you to those who replied to the survey about Furniture and Fittings.

Included in the June 2009 edition:

* A report from the President, Ian Hooper, giving an overview of events from March to June, such as the latest information regarding the Retirement Villages Amendment Act 2008, the proposed seminars OFT will be running after the Act is proclaimed, and the visits of RVRA Committee members to various villages to pass on information about RVRA activities

* A report from the Secretary, Malcolm McKenzie, with information about the 2009 Annual General Meeting on August 28th to be held at Gosford, a proposed change to the RVRA Constitution, and information about Peter Hill, the RVRA Honorary Solicitor.

* An article from Peter Hill about the rights of residents when is a village is sold.

* A report from John Wheeler, Vice President and leader of the Study Group, about their deliberations and activities.

* A report from John Cooper, Regional Representative on RVRA Committee, about the web site links.

* An article by the female RVRA Committee Members encouraging women to take a more active interest in their own village business and in the RVRA.

* Information about a way for residents to get assistance and advice in making a decision about whether they have a good case for a CTTT Hearing, or not, on an issue of concern for their village.

* A comment from Rob Harvie (RVRA Committee Member) on the RVA (Operators) sponsored meetings about the amendments to the RV Act 2008.

* A request from Philip Pearson ( RVRA Committee Member) for information about villages where residents have had to pay for Fittings and Furniture in their dwellings. This practise will be stopped by the new Act.

* Information about the outcome of the CTTT Hearing for Minkara Village on the payroll tax issue.