The Queensland Programmed Village Manager of the Year award for 2017 has been announced, with the prize being given to former Army soldier and police officer, Terry Byway. The win comes as well-deserved recognition for his work with 540 retirement village residents on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

On Tuesday the 10th of October, an audience of retirement living industry leaders gathered in Brisbane for the awards ceremony, one of which was Mr Byway to receive his accolade.

Terry has worked as a retirement village manager since 2010, after 20 years in the Army and 12 years as a police officer in Tasmania and Queensland. He has managed Buderim Gardens Retirement Village, owned and operated by Lendlease, since April 2016.

During his time at Buderim Gardens, Terry has overseen significant upgrades to resident units and other village buildings, simultaneously ensuring disruption to residents is minimal whilst making savings to the village budget from costs over the renovation period.

Terry has even made the most of resident volunteers to implement a village-wide recycle waste system. It is no surprise that since taking the village under his leadership resident satisfaction has increased.

Paul Bonner, chair of the Buderim Gardens residents committee, says Terry helped to rebuild trust among residents at the village after facilities had been allowed to deteriorate before Lendlease bought the village in 2014.

“At his first meeting with residents, Terry told us that his main task was to ensure that residents lived a happy life with the minimum of problems,” says Paul.

“Terry is very approachable and does what he promises. He is caring and will always make himself available to residents to discuss their concerns.”

Terry now enters the running for the National Programmed Manager of the Year award, to be presented on 27 November on the Gold Coast.