Nikki Dhawan is the 2021 Retirement Village Manager of the Year

Nikki Dhawan of Western Australia has been named Leading Age Services Australia’s (LASA) Retirement Village Manager of the Year for 2021, sponsored by Mullins Lawyers.

Ms Dhawan manages Bethanie Warwick and Joondanna retirement villages in WA, taking out the top award from a field of three other finalists.

Nikki was praised for her ability to cultivate connections with everyone she comes in contact with and for recognising that keeping her residents connected to the external community is fundamental to ensuring they can maintain their independence and stay at home for longer.

She was also lauded for introducing openness and transparency where residents felt acknowledged, listened to, and respected.

LASA General Manager Policy and Advocacy Tim Hicks said Nikki was an outstanding example of leadership in providing the best experience for older Australians living in a Retirement Village.

“Age services and in particular Retirement Living thrive on the connection to community and Nikki Dhawan shows how a good leader can develop and maintain that sense of community so that residents remain engaged,” Mr Hicks says.

“LASA congratulates Nikki on receiving this well-deserved award and wishes her further success in retirement living management.”

Mr Hicks also acknowledged the three finalists, Julie Renshaw, Stephen Pether and Lyn Ferguson, and said they, along with Nikki Dhawan, were able to rise to the challenges presented by COVID-19 and deliver excellence in age services in their communities.

LASA Retirement Living and Seniors Housing Principal Advisor, Paul Murphy, said Nikki is a deserving winner.

“She has developed a strong sense of community and trust amongst residents since joining Bethanie in 2015 and has made significant improvements to five of Bethanie’s eleven retirement village sites,” Mr. Murphy says.