In response to a request from the Retirement Living Council's ACT Committee, the DCM Institute – Australia’s leading professional development program for Village Managers – hosted its inaugural professional development day in Canberra on Thursday, 5 June, providing practical insights and guidance to managers from across the region.
The event, hosted at Goodwin Aged Care’s Ainslie Village, brought together a diverse group of sector professionals for a day focused on upskilling and shared learning.
The day featured a strong lineup of speakers, including:
Karen Toohey from the ACT Human Rights Commission; and
Erik Boddeus, Chair of the Retirement Living Council's ACT Committee and Executive Manager Retirement Living, Property and Development, at Goodwin Aged Care.
Jonathan Chow, Erik Boddeus and Karen Toohey answer questions at DCM Institute's Professional Development Day in the ACT
Their insights helped ground the day in both practical knowledge and lived experience.
"While conflict and dispute resolution were central themes, the conversations pushed further – emphasiding the human side of management and how to improve the daily lives of residents. Sessions encouraged attendees to think beyond policy and process, and instead, focus on empathy, communication, and proactive engagement," said James Wiltshire, DCM Institute Executive Director.
"The event was more than a skills workshop; it was a collaborative step forward for the ACT retirement living sector. By fostering these discussions, DCM Institute and its partners aim to support village managers in creating more thoughtful, respectful, and connected communities.
"With strong engagement and meaningful dialogue, the day was a clear success – and a sign of more to come for professional development in the region."