4th April 2025

Meet SwanCare's Bentley Park Resident’s Council 

Did you know, that under the Retirement Villages Act, all retirement villages can have a Residents’ Council? However, the Residents’ Council at SwanCare is luckier than most, as we have various touch points with management and the Board on a regular basis.

The Bentley Park Residents’ Council is an advisory body who has two representatives on the SwanCare Board, the Chairman and Deputy Chair meet with the CEO and the General Manager of Community Living bi-monthly, and the full Residents’ Council meet with the wider management team bi-monthly. So that’s a lot of opportunity to speak directly to those who can assist in actioning improvements at SwanCare Bentley Park!

While that all sounds well and good, what do the BP Resident Council do? Well, they are the conduit between the residents and management. Their role is to act on behalf of the residents in solving complaints or problems, they welcome suggestions for improving village life and will act on all suggestions.

The Residents’ Council is accessible to all Bentley Park residents; you may have noticed them around in their blue vests. They hold monthly resident meetings in the Auditorium, are available the second Friday of each month in the Swan Centre from 9:30am – 11:00am to discuss residents’ concerns on a one-to-one basis, plus, the Council members regularly walk through the village to identify any issues and to talk to other residents. 

The Residents’ Council also has 4 sub committees to ensure adequate time is given to some of the more specific areas that may require particular focus. These sub committees are Transport, Environment, Infrastructure and Resident Connect, who all report back to the full Residents’ Council.

Our General Manager Community Living, Natalie Hodi, has expressed her appreciation for the work the Residents’ Council does. “Having an active and passionate council really assists management to identify and prioritise areas that may need improvement. This conduit allows us to be more efficient and effective as we know the feedback we are getting is a representation of the broader village. The Council has made great inroads in terms of relationships with management and residents as well as great progress in assisting us delivering improvements overall.”

Nominations are called for the Bentley Park Residents’ Council every year with prospective members being nominated by another resident. Once Council is in place they then elect the President, Vice President and Board representatives with the maximum term on Council being 8 years, giving them ample time to help make a difference. So, if you see them around, do not hesitate to say hi as they are here for you!