Following an extended executive search process, the new body formed by the merger of the Retirement Village Association [RVA] and the Property Council, has appointed Mary Wood [pictured] as its inaugural Executive Director. The new peak representative body for principally retirement villages, is now called the Retirement Living Council, chaired by Derek McMillan [CEO of Australian Unity Retirement Living].
Mary Wood brings with her extensive government and policy experience in the housing sector as well as hands-on experience in aged care policy development and implementation.
A veteran of Canberra, she worked for seven years with Tanya Plibersek, firstly as Senior Advisor when Plibersek was Minister for Housing and then as her Chief of Staff when she was Minister for Human Services. While taking a sabbatical with the birth of her second child Mary worked in the aged care sector, principally with Goodwin commissioning a new aged care facility and retirement village.
In her role as Executive Director the key priorities will be advocacy for seniors housing policy development at a federal level and raising awareness of the cost benefits to government of a self-sustaining retirement living industry. She will be based in Canberra.
Each state will have a chapter of the Retirement Living Council to communicate and represent local industry members.
