WOODLANDS Grove Retirement Village has transformed from a simple building to a home for many over the years as residents this week celebrated the facility’s 15th birthday.
Cake, biscuits and pastries were in the plenty at the Mount Gambier premises as owner Vince Versace highlighted the progress of the village and its importance in the community.
“It is hard not to get emotional on days like today, I love this sort of occasion,” he said to the crowd on Wednesday afternoon.
“I am proud of what Woodlands Grove has become in the past 15 years, it is a beacon in Mount Gambier that everybody knows about.
“I am also proud that we are privately owned and operated, I take huge pride in the fact that at times like this I can enjoy your company and build a close relationship with each of you.”
Describing the village as a “destination”, Mr Versace said residents have a sense of belonging and feeling of security and safety.
“Destination is also a huge social network which we have here, it is about being a part of an extensive community,” he said.
Introducing “original” residents Bruce and Helena Kilsby – who last year moved to Melbourne – Ms Versace said he was proud to see the couple there celebrating how far the village has come.
“Bruce and Helena immersed themselves in the lifestyle of our village and assisted through committees to turn it into what we see today,” he said.
“I am forever grateful for Bruce’s help on various projects and am sure all of the residents are too.”
Cutting a celebratory cake together with his wife, Mr Kilsby said he was grateful to be invited back for the anniversary.
“We treasure all of our old friends that are here today,” he said.
“Thanks Vince for asking Helena and I to come back and cut the cake, it is a pleasure and I wish the village the very best for the next 15 plus years.”
Speaking about his time at the village, residents committee deputy chair Ted Jordan said it had been a memorable journey since arriving 12 years ago.
“A lot of us when we get this milestone start to think about why we came here in the first place and how it has transformed,” he said.
“Woodlands Grove is a place the city really needed at the time and my wife and I have loved living here, we like the security and amenity.
“The older we get the more we appreciate it, it has become our destination.”
