President's Message
Register for the 2025 AGM
Dementia Action Week - 15-21 September
- “Distressing to see”: families moving RV residents with dementia into aged care
- “The science is clear: dementia is not inevitable”
Snippets from the Board
Have you completed our Budget Survey?
RVRA Resident Committee Training Program – A New Model for Collaboration
Stay Safe from Scammers in Your Golden Years
Are your contact details correct?
Catalyst Retirement Living Survey - Report
FYI - important information links
Help Support your Association - for the future
RVRA Supporters
Dear Members, Associates and all other readers interested in the welfare of residents in Retirement Villages, - welcome to this month’s edition of the Bulletin – the last before our AGM on 25 September.
On that note, there will be some interesting and recent topics and developments open for discussion at this meeting so don’t forget to register and attend. This is an occasion for you to make your voice heard. If there are any particular areas that you would like to be addressed, you are more than welcome to send us a note before the meeting and we will endeavour to cover as many of the topics as we can.
The significant event this month is the passing by Parliament of the new Retirement Villages Regulation 2025 – which has already taken effect on September 1, 2025.
This has been a long time coming (over 2 years) and has involved many negotiations between government, RVRA, operators and individual village residents.
There are many changes – too many to enumerate here. However, I believe it is fair to say that it offers improvements in the protection of residents in particular areas. These include:
- Asset management plan simplification. Note that updated Secretary’s Guidelines and other material (e.g. asset plan template) will be published in the Gazette and on Fair Trading’s website soon after commencement.
- Transparency of costing of repairs and maintenance
- More information disclosure in the Disclosure Statement and the General Inquiry document (now located outside the Regulation and gazetted in the NSW Government Gazette https://gazette.nsw.gov.au/gazette/2025/8/2025-8_315-gazette.pdf.)
- Reinstatement of matters that had initially been intended to remove, such as the recording of accumulated costs, date of purchase and purchase price for items of capital.
- Retention of a test for remaining effective life once accumulated costs of repairs and maintenance of items of capital reach 90% of the original cost of the item.
It is also fair to say that there remain areas where our arguments did not hold sway – including:
- Parts of Reg 35 (replacing the previous 26AA).
- The method of determining remaining effective life (although we did agree that reference to taxation depreciation schedules was not appropriate in many cases).
A more detailed analysis of changes will be prepared for a bulletin following our AGM.
However, the fact is that it is now in force.
For significant other measures of protection of residents, we will be turning our attention to the Act itself – lobbying for changes to sub-cpi budget practices, application of annual surpluses, better protection for residents forced to move due to redevelopments or upscaling of villages etc.
On other matters, this bulletin includes articles of interest to our readers in the realms of approach to dementia, resident committee workshops, and a reminder to protect against scams.
Warm regards
Craig Bennett
RVRA President
In addition to the General Business to be transacted members will be asked to vote on a Special Resolution to amend the Constitution.
The purpose of the proposed changes to the RVRA Constitution are as follows:
- The inclusion on the Board of the role of Chairperson of the Education Centre
- To give the President the ability to appoint additional members of the Board to the Executive Committee
- Changes to address the electronic elements of conducting business and storing data
- Updating reference to the Associations Incorporation Regulation
- Additional requirements for Board member documentation
- Corrections to inconsistencies with numbering and the removal of unnecessary words/phrases.
Full details of the proposed changes to the Constitution are available on the RVRA website.
Documents available:
- Minutes of the 2024 AGM
- Agenda for the 2025 AGM and 2025 AGM Reports & Papers*
- Proxy Form – to be submitted by Monday 22nd September
- Call for Nominations for 2025/2026 Office Bearers & Board Members
- Board Nomination Form – to be submitted by 5pm Wednesday 3rd September
- Explanatory Memorandum (Constitution Amendments)
- Proposed Constitution - with mark-up
- Proposed Constitution – clean
*Board Reports will be posted on the website by Thursday 19th September and the Audited Financial Reports will be posted as soon as they are finalised by our Auditors
More info on our website
Dementia doesn’t just impact the person living with the condition and their immediate carers; it also impacts their friends, family and wider social network. Learn more from the website...
What I wish I had known when I was diagnosed with dementia
We asked people who live with dementia what they wish they had known when they were first diagnosed. They also share their advice on what they wish they had done following their diagnosis.
Article reproduced from The Weekly Source - Community Living
https://www.theweeklysource.com.au
In a recent industry presentation, Judy Mayfield, President of the Association of Residents of Queensland Retirement Villages (ARQRV), highlighted growing resident concerns about living alongside fellow residents with dementia.
Judy shared with permission a discussion among ARQRV promoters at 30 villages across Queensland. There were stories about residents wandering at night, forgetting medication, lashing out without warning. In one case, a woman was moved into care against her will – a scene that distressed her neighbours.
In Victoria, the proposed Retirement Villages Amendment Bill 2024, due to come into effect before May 2026, will make clear that residents cannot be removed without consent.
Helen Betros, President of Residents of Retirement Villages Victoria, said transitions are usually managed in consultation with families.
“There has been one situation where there was no family and no Power of Attorney. In that instance, the corporate process was used involving medical practitioners,” she said.
In NSW, Retirement Village Residents Association (RVRA) President Craig Bennett recalled a resident crying “I don’t want to go,” and said such cases are distressing for fellow residents.
"I am not sure Village Managers can do something unless they are fully aware of all the facts, such as has the person given enduring power of attorney and/ guardian rights to another person. Also if a carer is involved is that person unable to cope any more. Multiple reasons could arise," he said.
RVRA Vice-President Roger Pallant stressed removals are never arbitrary, but usually made with the family or enduring Power of Attorney– noting that fellow residents are not always aware of all the circumstances.
"I know a case ... where a resident was not taking medication, was walking the streets, could not make her own breakfast etc. and fellow residents helped out. She was finally put into aged care by her children but in our view months too late. It is sad to watch this happen to people you know; I used to play golf with this woman. Sad as it is, her safety must come first," he said.
Read more HERE from the recent meeting of the Association of Residents of Queensland Retirement Villages (ARQRV). "Dementia crisis in retirement villages: no clear process, resident safety at risk, no answers"
Aug 18 2025 - Lauren Broomham - https://www.theweeklysource.com.au/
Professor Henry Brodaty AO's Address to the National Press Club
Dementia expert calls for urgent national investment in brain health at National Press Club
On 23 Jul 2025 at the National Press Club of Australia, Professor Henry Brodaty, a renowned clinician, researcher, policy advisor and Co-Director of UNSW’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), delivered a powerful address: ‘Hope Beckons’, urging the Federal Government to back prevention-focused dementia research as a national productivity strategy.
“We are at a turning point in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. The science is clear: dementia is not inevitable, and we now have the tools to delay onset and slow progression,” Prof. Brodaty said.
Over 400,000 Australians live with dementia, and this is expected to double by mid-century, carrying an estimated $3.7 billion economic burden in direct costs annually.
RVRA Meetings
During July RVRA Board members had several key meetings to discuss the reviews of the AMP regulations and dispute resolution processes. They also met with representatives from the Property Council, the Retirement Living Council, Fair Trading, the Council on the Ageing (COTA), and various Operators.
We are pleased to share that the Retirement Villages Regulation 2025 (available here: https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/pdf/asmade/sl-2025-436) was passed on 22 August 2025 and commenced on 1 September 2025.
Members Enquiries
There were 38 enquiries from members in July covering a total of 54 categories (some enquiries covered 2 or more call categories). The largest number of calls categories were about Legal and Legislation (14), followed by Management (11), Residents Committees (8), Finance/Budgets (7) and Information (7).
Members can access Information Sheets dealing with these and many other topics in the Members Only section of the website.
The Retirement Villages Education Centre Workshops
Our Vice President Roger Pallant conducted two very successful modified half-day Residents Committee Workshops. See his report below.
We have several villages who have applied to do the workshops, which can be either face-to-face or by zoom. If your village would benefit from a training workshop, please contact info@rvra.org.au for cost information and an application form.
The following documents are available HERE for download.
- See how easy it is to set up an RVRA meeting/village visit by ZOOM.
- The RVRA Workshop Leaflet provides details of the Residents Committee training available and how to apply.
Village Visits
If you wish your village to be included in the Village Visit schedule, please contact Cathy on 1300 787 213 (option 1) if you have not already done so.
Annual RVRA Budget and AMP Survey
The RVRA 2025 Budget and AMP Survey is drawing to a close. This short, anonymous survey will take around 5 minutes to complete on your computer. It will be available until Monday 8th September and the responses will be analysed and the results published in a future Bulletin.
The annual survey is about your village budget and is confidential and anonymous. Please feel free to pass it to friends and neighbours who also live in a NSW retirement village. In the survey the RVRA would like you to tell us some general information about your village, recent budget changes, and how the Asset Management Plan is being managed
You will be helping us, by providing relevant data to guide our future discussions with the various NSW bodies (Government, regulators, and influencers) in relation to Retirement Villages legislation - with the added benefit of comparison to the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Budget Surveys.
The survey closes on 8th September 2025.
Please click this link below or access from our homepage.
- Direct link: RVRA Annual Budget Survey 2025
- Other surveys available here: https://www.rvra.org.au/education/research-budget
1st Photo: RVRA VP Roger presenting the role of the RVRA
2nd Photo: A mix of RC members and managers attend the presentation at Bowral Retirement Village
The RVRA recently completed an ambitious Resident Committee (RC) training program, successfully training 47 RC representatives from 21 Keyton villages over a three-day period. To further share the knowledge and foster collaboration, 22 village managers, area managers, and financial staff also participated.
The program was fully funded and supported by Keyton, who arranged three central village locations for the training sessions: Annesley Village in Bowral, Lutanda Manor in Pennant Hills, and Brentwood Village in Kincumber. RC representatives attended the three-hour course at the location closest to them.
This was the first time the RVRA has delivered training in this format. Traditionally, training is held with a single RC at one village, with the village manager choosing whether or not to attend. Bringing together RC members from different villages along with their managers and senior staff raised an important question: would participants feel comfortable engaging openly? The answer was a resounding yes.
The training began with a pre-course survey to assess participants' baseline knowledge. Using a scale of 1 to 5, RC members rated their average pre-course knowledge just above 3. Unsurprisingly, understanding of budgets rated highest, while familiarity with the Act and Regulations rated lowest. As expected, managers began with a higher level of knowledge overall.
Key topics covered in the course included:
- Legal framework – Acts and Regulations
- Role and purpose of Resident Committees
- Meeting procedures
- Voting protocols
- Financials and budgeting
A post-course survey measured knowledge gains, with RC participants rating their average understanding at 4.5—a significant improvement.
This collaborative training model, where RCs meet their counterparts and managers actively contribute to discussions, proved highly effective. Engagement in all sessions was strong, and conversations were constructive and respectful. Importantly, informal moments during morning tea and lunch also played a key role in building relationships.
We extend our sincere thanks to Keyton for initiating and supporting this innovative and successful program, and to the three host villages for providing excellent facilities and refreshments.
On a personal note, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many residents and managers. I came away with a strong sense that relationships between Keyton management and their RCs are built on mutual respect and open communication. While we may not always agree, we continue to demonstrate that we can disagree in a professional and mature manner.
Roger Pallant
RVRA Vice President
A beautiful woman, living on her own in my village, was scammed on Wednesday and has now lost all of her savings. She said she “responded to a message on my computer that said alert, alert and a black screen appearing with a Microsoft number to ring. I fell in the trap and have lost all the money in my account, so have no computer, money or self-respect.”
Unfortunately her story is quite common, and the scammers, who according to her “are so clever and have no conscience”, target older people.
Scam Awareness Week: A Message for Seniors in Retirement Villages
Scam Awareness Week (25-29 August) is a perfect time to talk about something that affects thousands of Australians every year: SCAMS.
Scammers target people of all ages, but unfortunately older Australians are often seen as easy targets. Whether it’s a fake phone call, a dodgy email, or someone pretending to be from the government, scams can happen to anyone — even the most careful among us.
Let’s break down what scams are, how to spot them, and how to protect yourself and your friends.
What Is a Scam?
A scam is a dishonest scheme where someone tries to trick you into giving them money or personal information. Scammers can contact you in many ways:
- Phone calls
- Text messages
- Emails
- Social media
- Even knocking on your door
These scammers can pretend to be someone they’re not — like a government official, a bank worker, or even a family member in trouble.
Common Scams to Watch Out For
Here are some of the most common scams affecting seniors today:
1. “Hi Mum” or “Hi Dad” Texts
You might receive a message saying something like, “Hi Mum, I lost my phone. This is my new number. Can you send me money?” Always double-check by calling your loved one on their regular number.
2. Fake Phone Calls from “The ATO” or “Centrelink”
You may get a call claiming you owe money or that your benefits will be cut off.
Hang up. Government agencies will never threaten or demand payment over the phone.
3. Emails Asking You to Click a Link
You might get an email saying your bank account is frozen or there's a parcel waiting.
Don’t click any links. Go directly to the official website or call the organisation.
4. Investment Scams
Scammers may offer you a "great investment opportunity" with high returns and low risk.
If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
5. Romance Scams
Someone might try to form a relationship online and then ask for money.
Be cautious — don’t send money to someone you haven’t met in person.
What You Should Do
- Pause and think. Scammers want you to act quickly. Take your time.
- Talk to someone you trust. Ask a friend, family member, or staff at your village.
- Report the scam. Even if you’re unsure, contact Scamwatch at www.scamwatch.gov.au or call 13 25 23.
- Keep personal information private. Don’t share your bank details, passwords, or Medicare number with anyone you don’t know.
- Use strong passwords for email and online accounts. Write them down in a safe place or use a password manager.
What You Should NOT Do
- Don’t give out personal or banking details to anyone over the phone, email, or text unless you’re 100% sure who they are.
- Don’t click on suspicious links in emails or messages.
- Don’t be rushed. Scammers often create false urgency — don’t let them pressure you.
- Don’t send money or gift cards to people you’ve only met online.
- Don’t feel embarrassed. Scams are designed to trick anyone. You are not alone.
Advice from Scamwatch Australia
Stay protected everyday
We can include these memorable steps in our everyday lives to keep us all safe from scams.
Final Word: Look After Each Other
One of the best protections against scams is community. Share this information with your neighbours, have a chat at morning tea, and help each other stay scam-aware. If something doesn’t feel right — trust your gut and talk to someone.
Stay safe, stay smart — and enjoy your retirement with confidence!
📞 Need Help?
Call Scamwatch: 13 25 23
Visit: www.scamwatch.gov.au
Or talk to your retirement village office or local community centre.
Roger Pallant
RVRA Vice President
We can include these memorable steps in our everyday lives to keep us all safe from scams.
STOP. Always take a moment before giving your money or personal information to anyone. Scammers will create a sense of urgency to pressure you into acting quickly. Don’t rush to make decisions about money or sharing personal details.
CHECK. Make sure the person or organisation you’re dealing with is real. Scammers pretend to be from organisations you know and trust. Always verify who you’re really dealing with before taking any action.
PROTECT. Act quickly if something feels wrong. The sooner you act, the better you can protect yourself and others from scammers.
Our records suggest that some of our member information may be outdated.
Keeping our membership information up-to-date ensures that we can continue to represent and support retirement village residents across NSW by providing you with information and advice and engaging in advocacy on your behalf.
If any of your membership information is incorrect, our reporting and statistics to Government and Operators may not be accurate.
Also if you know of a member in your village who is not receiving our monthly email Bulletin, let them know that if they would like to receive this, they need to get in touch with us with their email address. We’ll update their details and they will start receiving this informative monthly newsletter.
If you have changed your address or relocated to another village, changed your phone number or your email address, or will be changing any of those details in the future, please let us know by:
- Phone: 1300 787 213 (Option 2), or
- Email: admin@rvra.org.au
Keeping your information up-to-date helps us serve you better.
Fran Varga
RVRA Secretary
The Catalyst Report – Village Residents feedback
We have received the summary report from the Catalyst survey, in which many of you participated - thank you once again.
Sydney NSW 2000 +61 (0) 412 039 007
Catalyst Retirement Communities survey summary - 2025
• At least seven in ten are happy with their community
• Residents are concerned about rising fees, maintenance issues and absent head office management
• Better communication from head office and on-site management is needed
Year four of The Catalyst Report summarises feedback from over 15,000 Australians including 3,711
retirement community residents. Thanks to all respondents for your input – the factual, funny, sad and
those with advice for the next generation of residents.
House and garden challenges remain the number one reason to consider community living, but residents
told us a wide range of factors can trigger a move:
“Criminal activity where I'm living now” “Looking for a home that doesn't have stairs”
“Weather is horrible in Victoria” “Told to leave rental and find another place”
“Avoiding moving to a nursing home” “My husband died – I was lonely”
“I wanted to lock up for a long holiday” “We could ‘cash in’ by selling our house”
Overall satisfaction is steady at 72%, though there was a wide spread across different communities.
Residents are generally positive about privacy, communal areas, sense of community and social activities.
Residents are less happy about head office management, onsite community management and maintenance
of facilities. Fewer than half are happy with communications around maintenance.
On-site and head office management at many sites need to up their game to be more visible, responsive
and to give better picture on what residents are getting for their monthly fees.
There were plenty of enthusiastic comments about community life:
“You can be as involved as you want with activities. We feel very safe”
“It's great to not have the responsibility of caring for a yard”
“We have a sense of community, fully maintained outside areas and can lock and go for long holidays”
But residents warned those considering a move to think carefully:
“There is a certain loss of control. If that would bother you then village life may not be suitable”
“Think long and hard. There can be hidden traps so check your contract fully”
“Sales people will offer you ‘the dream life’. Get everything you ask to be replied in writing”
Almost two thirds told Catalyst that the support of their family was important as they made their move.
Some are concerned that moving to a retirement community will diminish family wealth ahead of estate
planning. The survey revealed different perspectives:
This month our questions cover:
- Redevelopment of a village
- Visitor length of stay
- Transferring the Budget Surplus to the Capital Works Fund
Q1: My wife and I moved into a villa in this village five years ago under a Loan/Lease contract. We are now in our mid-eighties. We chose this retirement Village as it is near to where we lived previously, where our family and friends live, and we are close to both the ocean and the town where we have contacts such as our family doctor of 20 years.
I have served on the Village Residents Committee for the past 6 years.
The Village Manager called a meeting last week and announced that the village is to be demolished over the next five years, starting early next year, and replaced with high-rise 2–3-bedroom units, many with ocean views, and shops on the ground floor.
The Management is setting up a system to interview all residents to find out what they want to do. They will have the option of moving out while building is going on, and definitely moving out when their villa is demolished, and can move to other of the Operator’s villages. These villages are not in this area and mainly located away from the ocean. Nothing definite has been offered yet.
The news that our village is to be redeveloped has severely affected our residents. Many of them, including me, have gardens which we have lovingly attended for years. I and the rest of the Residents Committee are concerned that many of the residents are too elderly (some are over 90 and several others have dementia) and do not understand what is going on. Surely our contracts protect us, and the Management cannot move us away from our homes and families? How should we proceed?
A1: As villages age and require upgrading, many retirement village operators are combining the upgrade with demolishing and redeveloping the village vertically, thus increasing the density of dwellings on the site. The legislation deals with villages being redeveloped in section 136 of the Act. The contracts are terminated, and the Operator must have a DA and find alternative accommodation of the same standard and cost for residents. Twelve months written notice is needed when contracts are terminated.
In this case, it is early days yet and the Operator has made no concrete offers. This is an ongoing and developing situation. If possible, the Residents Committee could take the initiative and accumulate as much information as possible so that the residents can be informed of their rights. In discussing with residents the options available and the ramifications of them, residents need to be aware that if they overwhelmingly oppose the redevelopment, the Operator must apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) for termination of their contracts. NCAT must then be satisfied that that the village is to be improved before ordering contracts to be terminated. Residents individually would need advice, possibly from a solicitor.
At this stage the Residents Committee might seek general advice from the Seniors Rights Service (SRS). In this particular case, redevelopment will result in tremendous upheaval for the residents as they could be relocated distant from their social network and may suffer considerably if very elderly or in poor health. It may be that the residents will in future have a case for compensation.
The RVRA is advocating for the amendment of section 136 of the Act to account for the residents’ social network when relocation is required.
Q2: In my village several residents have sons, daughters, grandchildren or partners living with them in their Units for long periods of time – in the order of months and in one case over a year. The Village Rules state that residents having a short stay visitor for over 2 nights must get permission from the Operator, and there is a “cap” on how many nights in a year a visitor can stay; 28 nights in 1 year with permission.
When our Residents Committee asked the Operator why some residents had family members living with them, they were told that the “rules’ had changed recently. Is there something in the Legislation about this?
A2: The conditions under which visitors are permitted to stay in a village are usually set out in the contract. You have told me that yours, for example, specifies periods of up to 28 days – these are usually over one year. The contract also usually states that any longer term is at the discretion of the Operator, and the resident must be given permission – conditions would need to be specified, so one would assume written permission. It may be that all or some of the residents’ guests in your village have such permission from the Operator to be there under such a clause in the contract or have entered into a new joint contract with the resident.
It is normally a spouse, de facto, carer or relative of the resident who moves in with them and there will also be a clause in the contract which states the Guest is under the terms of the Contract and Village Rules. If these are contravened, permission can be withdrawn.
I am concerned that your manager advised that there had been a change of “rule” without specifying which rule was meant – e.g. Legislative or Village Rules? Usually the Village Rules only cover short stays, and any change to Village Rules need a Special Resolution.
My advice is to ask which “rule” is being referred to and if the guests have the Operator’s permission to live in the village.
Q3. We’ve got a surplus from last year’s accounts. The Manager wants to transfer the money to this year’s accounts, but we want to put it into the Capital Works fund. What are the rules for voting on that? This is such an important issue I think it should be a special resolution.
A3. The legislation does not require a special resolution to transfer the surplus to the Capital Works Fund (s120B).
However, as you say, this is an important issue and it’s understandable that residents want to take care in voting on it. The RC could facilitate this by giving good notice of the meeting (e.g. 21 days as if it was a special resolutions), providing details with the motion to explain why they recommend the transfer to the Capital Works Fund, and encouraging all residents to vote, in person or by proxy, to ensure good representation.
Diane Hart
RVRA Board Member & Chair Education Centre
Get Ready NSW
Everyday actions make a difference. Together, we can prepare our community for emergencies and disasters such as storms, fires, floods and heatwaves.
Are you at risk of financial abuse?
https://www.compass.info/news
Older Australians are suffering financial abuse inflicted by their own children and grandchildren, who are hungry to get their hands on an early inheritance.
Free online presentations
iPhone basics - Tuesday 23 September at 10am
A presentation is for people with an understanding of how to use an iPhone and want to learn more about their device.
Help Us Keep Advocating for Fairness in Retirement Villages
Thank you for being a valued member of the Retirement Village Residents Association (RVRA) - or for considering membership. Our members' support has helped us continue advocating for fair treatment, stronger protections, and better representation for residents across New South Wales.
As you know, while most retirement village operators do the right thing, there are still many cases where residents are left vulnerable—facing unfair fees, poor communication, or inadequate dispute resolution.
With limited government resources and many competing priorities, retirement village concerns are often pushed to the side.
That’s why we are requesting your help.
A donation to the RVRA will directly support our work, including:
- Advocating for legislative reform
- Providing information and advice to residents
- Engaging with government and village operators
- Giving residents a stronger collective voice
You can donate online (either direct through our website or using GiveNow) at:
👉 https://www.rvra.org.au/donate
Every donation—no matter the size—helps us remain independent, effective, and committed to protecting the rights of all residents.
Thank you again for being part of this important association. Together, we can ensure retirement villages remain places of safety, fairness, and respect.
So, to give us a more sustainable future: https://www.rvra.org.au/donate
On behalf of the RVRA Board - thank you for your support.
Kind regards
Craig Bennett
RVRA President
The RVRA appreciates the support of the following professional services organisations.
To become a Supporter of the RVRA, contact us.