Lifestyle News - WALKA GRANGE LIFESTYLE VILLAGE

WALKA GRANGE
 LIFESTYLE VILLAGE

 Lifestyle News
Sponsored By
 February 2020
No copyright infringement intended. Photo by Andy Gock Photography - “Sunset over Walka Water Works”

Maintenance Notes

 Hi Everyone,
 I hope you all had a festive Christmas & New Year! I enjoyed my break –
 ate and drank too much, but that’s what it’s all about!
 Back to it now in Zone 1 until the end of January, then cracking on in
 Zone 2.
 Since being back from break we have been pulling out dead plants &
 frantically watering trying to save some. All in all, the gardens have
 surprisingly held up well with the atrocious weather and lack of rain.
 We are now on Level 2 water restrictions so check out the info on this
 and try to be water wise.
 Our common garden sprinkler systems have been reduced to 15min
 twice a week (half an hour in total). The common gardens that need to
 be hand watered with a trigger nozzle hose will continue to stay the
 same (before 10am), so those helping out by watering the common
 garden near their villa there is no time limit – just before 10am or after
 4pm and thank you very much!
 We continue to work closely with Hunter Water and our water
 management plans have received a favourable response as we have
 been granted a partial exemption from the water restrictions for our
 common areas – This does not apply to your villa gardens.
 The first category for the year for our garden of the month is:
 “Most durable front garden”
 This should be interesting with the not so favourable weather conditions
 we’ve had!
 Until next month
 Dave O

Village Manager News

Direct Debit Forms
I have received a tremendous response from residents regarding our Direct Debit
system for payment of your monthly recurrent charges starting on 1 July.

If you have not already returned the new Direct Debit form to the office, please do so as
soon as possible. Alternatively, please let us know if you do not wish to participate.

Should you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to contact me.

Villa Phones - Batteries
The ‘Uniden’ & ‘Vtech’ brand internal phones supplied to your villa operate via the
telephone wall jack only and may contain batteries which came with the phone.

There is no need for these batteries to remain in the handset as they may cause
corrosion once they become flat. Please feel free to remove the batteries from the
‘Uniden’ & ‘Vtech’ brand internal phones.

If you have any questions, please contact the village office staff.

Safety Report
The Safety Report has been updated and is displayed on the Clubhouse noticeboard.

This report provides a summary of safety measures we have in place for the village
including the Clubhouse.

Spare Key Lock Box
The spare key lock box is a secure metal box that contains a spare key which is installed
on the side exterior of your villa. The lock box can only be opened with a set of numbers
known to you, commonly called a PIN.

The advantage in having a lock box is being able to easily access a spare key should
you lock yourself out of the villa, especially outside village office hours. It will also enable
emergency services to enter your home in the event of an emergency lodged via our
Tunstall emergency call system.

Should you not already have one please contact the village office and we would be
happy to install one at a cost price of $70.

Code of Conduct
The new Retirement Living Code of Conduct became operational on 1 January 2020.

The Village Operator is proud to be a signatory to the Code of Conduct and is committed
to maintaining the highest standards in the marketing, selling and operation of
retirement/lifestyle communities.

I have been working closely with the Village Operator and Village Staff in reviewing our
suite of operational policies to ensure compliance with the Code. We have implemented
some new policies and updated some existing policies.

A key feature is an updated Complaints Policy that provides clear steps on how we deal
with resident complaints. The policy provides an assurance to residents in knowing that
there are clearly defined processes in place and where required, escalation to an
appropriate independent dispute resolution service
I have invited feedback from the Residents’ Committee on the new Complaints Policy
and expect to forward you a copy in February.

Budget 2020/2021
Work has already commenced on next financial year’s budget and the Residents’
Finance Committee will again be actively involved in this process.
The Long-Term Capital Maintenance Fund will continue to be a key focus point as we
strive to ensure there are adequate funds put aside for the future. I have provided the
Residents’ Finance Committee with Quantity Surveyor data that will assist with this
process.

During September 2019 an on-site risk survey was carried out by our current property
insurer and based on the very positive and favorable report outcome, it is hoped that we
can obtain a reasonable ISR insurance premium for the coming year. I have again
engaged our insurance broker to source the best deal.

Des Malone
Village Manager

Sales Update

 Welcome to the New Year! We hope you had an enjoyable and restful
 break.
 The sales office is anticipating a busy year ahead!
 Congratulations to our gardening staff and residents for maintaining
 the grounds of the village and your own personal gardens, it is a
 credit to you under the circumstances of extreme heat that we have
 had. Fingers crossed we receive more rain soon.
 We will be doing some fresh promotional material for marketing and
 potentially updating the website too. Please let us know if you are
 interested in being an ambassador for the village and featuring in
 some advertising/ promotional material; there is no pay but there is
 the glory. 
 Our office at Morpeth has a new addition to the team, with Leah
 stepping into the Accounts Supervisor role with the departure of
 Joelle. Once she has familiarised herself with office procedures, we
 will look at taking her on a tour of the village.

 Looking forward to seeing you around the village this year and
 wishing you a great 2020.
 From the sales team

 Ann and Emily

Lozza’s Buzz

 Thanks to all the residents who donated money to the RFS - It
 was a wonderful response and the total so far is $1409.00!

 Congratulations to Colleen and the band of ladies who made 450
 neck ties. Colleen presented 350 of these neck ties to the local
 NSW Rural Fire Service, and they will be given to approx. 44
 brigades. The other 100 will be given to other brigades in person
 or mailed. The residents committee donated $200 towards the
 fabric which made approximately 250 of the neck ties, and the
 rest of the fabric was donated by residents. Also donated by the
 residents were the water storage crystals which were put inside
 the ties. It is wonderful to see so many residents band together to
 help others.

 Don’t forget our Residents Meeting on Monday 24th February at
 10am in the Clubhouse. This is a chance to hear what is
 happening in the village and have your say.

 Wishing you all good health and happiness.

 Lorraine

Notices

 LEARN TO PLAY BRIDGE Crochet Club
 Our crochet group has started back
 after a few weeks break over the
 festive season.

 Maitland Bridge Club will be We are continuing with our rug
 conducting lessons for beginners – making, knee rugs and some larger
 6 week course on Monday mornings ones, using some different patterns
 Commencing 9th March and ideas.
 10am – 12pm
 Any new members to our group would
 Cost: $40 per person be very welcome. We meet every
 (including textbook) Friday at 1pm in the Coffee Nook.
 You don’t need to bring a partner
 We hope to see some new faces as
 At the end of the course you can
 well as the return of our regular ones.
 attend Wednesday sessions at the
 club where you will be looked after Colleen
 and helped to enjoy this popular
 game.
 To enrol or ask for further info: A reminder to all residents to please
 Please contact Jenny Coyle make sure when entering or exiting
 jennycoyle164@gmail.com the Clubhouse that all doors are shut
 0419 774 807 behind you.
 http://www.bridgewebs.com/maitland Thank you for your co-operation.
 /

 Trivia
 All are welcome! If you plan on bringing a group, please contact Brian or
 Colleen for catering purposes.
 Friday 7th February – 6:00pm BBQ Dinner - $7 per head
 7.00pm Trivia - $5 per head
 Sponsored by Rutherford Hotel Dining Room
 Where you can use your vouchers and seniors card for 20% discount!

Arts & Crafts Room
It’s probably a good time at the beginning of the year to give an update about Craft to
 anyone who doesn’t know what goes on in our time together.
 Our official days are:
 Monday at 1pm, Wednesday at 1pm and Thursday at 10am.
Wednesday has often been considered the Patchwork/Quilting day; however anyone
is welcome to come and do whatever craft they desire, it’s just that there are likely to
 be more knowledgeable patch workers/quilters in attendance on that day.
The same goes for Mondays and Thursdays, anyone is welcome to do any craft you
desire. Many of the crafters have skills in specific areas and are more than happy to
 help with any questions you may have, so you are welcome to bring your craft and
 learn more in the process.

 Also, on a Thursday morning are the card making group. Following is a note from
 Fay who heads them up:
 Come along Thursday mornings at 9.30 am in the craft room and join our
 happy group and learn how to make 3D decoupage greeting cards. WOW
 your family and friends with your own handmade cards for birthdays and
Christmas. Just bring yourself along and give it a go - we will show you what
equipment you need but first give it a go and see if cardmaking is for you. If
 you need more information just contact Fay.

 On the third Tuesday of every month we like to go out to lunch somewhere to
celebrate all the birthdays for that month. We have a list in the craft room where you
can add your name to go on the bus or in one of the cars that will also go if needed.
If there is a specific craft you would like to learn, let us know and we will be happy to
 find a way to teach it to you.
Some of those who attend don’t do any craft at all, they just love to come along for a
 good chin wag and a cuppa. So please feel free to come along and enjoy the
 friendships that many of us have developed.
 Our room has 3 sewing machines, 2 overlockers, a huge table for cutting or
 sandwiching quilts, lots of spare yarn and needles/crochet hooks and heaps of
 patterns for inspiration.

If you are not able to attend any of our groups but still need to use some equipment it
 is available for your use. If you need any help to know how to set anything up ring
 Joyce for advice.