By Casey Neill
For 30 years Valley Village Mews has been helping life-long Dandenong residents to stay in their community as they age.
“Dandenong people like to stay in Dandenong,” the retirement village’s manager Cynthia Mack said.
“Ninety-nine per cent of our residents are from Dandenong, so when they come in here they usually know a heap of people.
“They can keep their own doctor and keep their clubs.
“They feel comfortable because they’re still in their own environment.”
About 180 people live across the Stud Road site’s 148 units.
“The average is about 79, I think, now,” Ms Mack said.
“We’ve got some in their 60s, some in their 70s.
“I think we’ve got about eight in their 90s, a couple in their 50s, too.
“One of the original purchasers just moved out into further care about three or four months ago, and she was 100.”
The village will celebrate its 30th anniversary in December.
“When we had the 20th we did combine it with our Christmas party,” Ms Mack said.
“Possibly we’ll do the same again this year. We might even do something in the pavilion.”
Residents can regularly take part in exercise, carpet bowls, line dancing, adult colouring classes and even bocce on a court that the village installed last year.
Ms Mack said there were also “magnificent parklands” on-site to explore.
“We were the Ordish brickworks,” she said.
There’s a vegie garden and a men’s group.
“We were finding that when they came to functions, the guys on their own didn’t mix with the ones with partners,” she said.
“We started up this men’s group once a month.
“They cook a sausage sizzle and have a chat. At least 20 of them come, they really enjoy it.”
A residents committee of about 20 members organises excursions and events.
“Recently they went down to Gippsland for the day,” Ms Mack said.
“Friday night they had a chicken and chips night.”
A podiatrist visits every six weeks and Robyn from the office runs craft sessions.
“She’s an artist, so she and her mother run the craft group,” Ms Mack said.
“Sylvia Catic our hairdresser, she’s been here longer than me.
“She’s here two days a week and she’s fantastic with our residents.”
Ms Mack said the residents looked out for each other and made firm friends.
“They come up here, they have a chat,” she said.
“In summer time they’ll come up in the afternoon and have a coffee on the verandah.”
She’s worked at the village for 11 and a half years.
“I started here just doing the accounts,” she said.
“The manager retired and asked me if I wanted a job.
“It’s a great job, it really is. It’s just the nice atmosphere around here. It makes the job easier.
“I do the sales as well, so I sell the units, and I quite like that side of it.
“We have a few for sale at the moment.
“We’re here through the week for anyone who wants to come and have a look at the village.”
Valley Village Mews Retirement Village is at 112 Stud Road, Dandenong, and can be contacted on 9793 3354.
Visit www.valleyvillagemews.com.au for more information.
