Conversations at the Wharf: The Perfect Match: Clubs and Retirement Living

Why licensed clubs are becoming strategic partners in seniors living

Australia’s licensed clubs are quietly emerging as one of the most compelling partners in retirement living and seniors housing. With land assets, strong balance sheets, deep community roots and hospitality expertise, clubs are uniquely positioned to support the next generation of retirement living developments.

In this discussion, three senior industry leaders explore why the alignment between clubs and retirement living is accelerating, and what it means for operators, developers, financiers and communities.

Speakers

• Stephen Abolakian, Co-Managing Director, Hyecorp
• John Innes, CEO, Pariter
• Derek Smith, Relationship Director, Westpac Group

Why clubs and retirement living work - in theory and practice

The conversation unpacks why this partnership works on multiple levels:

1. Shared community purpose

Licensed clubs and retirement living operators are both fundamentally community-driven. Clubs already serve older Australians as social, hospitality and wellbeing hubs - making them natural anchors for integrated seniors living precincts.

2. Underutilised land, long-term vision

Many clubs hold strategically located land assets but lack the capital structures or development pathways to unlock their full value. Retirement living provides a long-term, sustainable use aligned with member needs and demographic reality.

3. Hospitality meets housing

Clubs understand food, entertainment, amenities and member engagement - capabilities increasingly central to modern retirement living. The result is precincts that feel active, social and connected rather than institutional.

The development and investment lens

From a development and capital perspective, the speakers explore:

• How clubs are moving from passive landlords to active development partners
• Why mixed-use precincts (club + retirement living + health) are more bankable
• The importance of governance, structure and risk allocation in club-led projects
• What financiers look for when clubs are part of the capital stack

Hyecorp’s experience highlights how sophisticated partnerships, rather than one-off transactions, are unlocking scale and long-term value for both parties.

What banks and capital providers are watching

From a banking and risk perspective, Westpac Group outlines why clubs are being taken more seriously as development partners:

• Strong balance sheets and cash flow history
• Embedded local support and political goodwill
• Long-dated asset horizons aligned with retirement living
• Increasing professionalism in governance and delivery

The discussion makes it clear: projects that demonstrate clear alignment between club objectives, resident outcomes and commercial structure are far more likely to attract capital.

What this means for the sector

This conversation signals a broader shift underway:

• Clubs are re-positioning from social venues to community infrastructure providers
• Retirement living is moving closer to town centres and lived-in places
• Capital is favouring integrated, multi-use, lower-risk precincts
• Partnerships matter more than ownership

For operators, developers and advisors, the message is blunt:
the future of retirement living will be built with partners who already understand community - and clubs are at the front of that queue.