Shoalhaven lifestyle services manager Mark Surace has been recognised for an outstanding commitment to staff and residents by being named the Property Council of Australia’s Retirement Living NSW/ACT Manager of the Year 2015.
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It is the second year in a row an IRT Group employee has won the prestigious award.
The NSW/ACT Manager of the Year 2014 award went to Tony Striegl at IRT Kangara Waters.
Mr Surace supports more than 260 residents at IRT Sarah Claydon and IRT St Georges Basin.
IRT Group chief executive Nieves Murray said Mr Surace and his team had worked very hard to improve the quality of life and social engagement of residents at Sarah Claydon and St Georges Basin.
Ms Murray said they had introduced some innovative programs to engage residents with the local community.
She said that included a ‘‘companion day’’ where they spent one afternoon a week with school students to exchange skills.
‘‘A resident may teach students knitting and tapestry, while students help residents set up tablets, access the internet, or learn online video conferencing skills,’’ Ms Murray said.
‘‘Mark has also worked hard to break down the perceived barriers that sometimes exist between lifestyle communities and care centres, inviting lifestyle community residents to care centre outings.’’
Ms Murray said the two IRT facilities Mr Surace worked at were designed to co-locate lifestyle communities and care centres.
Winning the award was a team effort, Mr Surace said.
‘‘It’s never just one person,’’ he said. ‘‘I have a great team, and the residents are fantastic. That makes my job a lot easier.’’
