Across our villages, residents are always on the move trying new things, starting new projects and getting involved in activities that bring people together. Inspired by their drive to always stay active, our award‑winning Ignite Your Passion program gives residents an opportunity to apply for funding to kick‑start an activity or idea that brings something positive to their community.
Like every year since 2024, the response has been incredible, with more than 260 applications from 69 villages. Residents love getting involved and their passion has led to 181 amazing projects taking place across our villages.
Here are just a few highlights.
The Townsend Park workshop team has brought a fantastic community project to life. Using their grant, led by resident David, the village workshop team affectionately known as the 'Bird Box Gang' purchased new cordless tools, timber and materials to build nesting boxes for the crimson rosellas and lorikeets population. Drawing on David’s background as a biology teacher, the group researched safe, durable designs and experimented with variations to support native birdlife in an area where urban growth has reduced natural hollows.
The team has now completed 16 boxes, with eight boxes already installed around the village
The team has now completed 16 boxes, with eight boxes already installed around the village and the rest sold to support future workshop projects. Their work has also gained interest from the Holdfast Bay Council and McAuley School, who have invited them to host a “Bird Box” stall at the school fair in October. With strong local enthusiasm and a new hobby taking flight, the group is already planning to build more boxes ahead of the 2026 nesting season. The grant empowers residents to create purposeful projects that benefit both the community and the environment.
The newly formed Knit Wits group at Glenaeon is quickly becoming a valued part of village life. Started by resident Myra, the group meets twice a month in the Serviced Apartments lounge, creating a regular space for residents to knit, catch up and connect. Membership has grown steadily as more residents hear about the group and join in.
The group produced Twiddle Muffs, soft, textured hand‑held items to provide comfort and stimulation for people with dementia
Their latest project focused on knitting Twiddle Muffs, soft, textured hand‑held items designed to provide comfort and stimulation for people living with dementia. The group produced dozens of them, all handmade and donated to the wider community. While the project supports an important cause, it has also strengthened bonds within the village. Residents who didn’t previously know each other are now meeting regularly, sharing skills and working toward a shared goal. The group has shown how a simple activity can help build community, routine, and a sense of purpose.
The “Back of a Ute Day” at Trinity Green proved to be a thoughtful initiative aimed at reaching residents who are not often seen out and about in the village. Fellow residents volunteered to drive a ute to visit homes and deliver a fresh muffin and a hot coffee, right to the doorstep. To participate, residents were invited through a colourful letterbox brochure, followed by personal invitations. All they had to do was place a shoe or boot on their letterbox to signal they’d like a visit. While a few initially thought it was a hoax, many embraced the idea wholeheartedly.
The organising team identified 40 homes for check‑ins and successfully visited all of them. They found 34 residents across 21 homes who happily took part and enjoyed their coffee, chocolate frog and freshly baked muffin. Along the way, the team also met five additional residents out on their street and offered them a spontaneous coffee-and-muffin break, which was warmly received. The day not only brought delicious treats to doorsteps but also strengthened sense of belonging, offering companionship and kindness to residents who may not often engage in village activities.
The Woodies project at Brentwood Village is a resident-led initiative centred around craftsmanship, community contribution and shared learning. Supported and energised by a passionate group of residents, it has united people through creativity and hands‑on work. The woodworkers’ shed, championed and coordinated by resident Les, provides a space where residents with all levels of experience can join in, learn new skills and collaborate on meaningful projects. The group includes a diverse mix of members, including several highly skilled women who have added new perspectives and ideas to the workshop.
The Woodies design and build handmade wooden toys that are donated to local causes
As a collective, the Woodies have contributed significantly to the community day activities, where they design and build handmade wooden toys that are donated to local causes. Their work also features prominently at village markets, where their handcrafted toys, homewares, and the ever-popular mattress lifters continue to be in high demand. These sales not only showcase the team’s talent but also help sustain future Woodies projects. The project has helped new members learn as they go and surprise themselves. Sue, for example, made a serviette holder in her very first workshop where she used many tools and techniques that she never handled before.
Through their projects, market contributions and growing membership, the Woodies show how resident‑driven initiatives can foster purpose, community closeness and a real sense of achievement within the village.
Residents at Brentwood Village started their very own pottery group and for many, it was their first time ever working with clay. With guidance from a few experienced potters, the group has been meeting twice a week to shape their ideas into reality.
The journey hasn’t been without its challenges. There were moments of frustration, balanced by plenty of excitement when pieces finally started coming together. There were times when some of them felt impatient, but with plenty of encouragement and giggles the residents successfully created some impressive works of art. This has helped bring a community of like-minded people together to learn, create and enjoy.
Residents at Brentwood Village started their very own pottery group
The residents of The Aerie at Narrabundah is celebrating community spirit through The Aerie Cookbook. Led by resident Deb, the initiative began in June 2025 with a call-out for recipes, uniting a small band of food-loving volunteers, Pam, Annie, Ray and Barb.
The group has collected 150 recipes from 50 residents and is now editing, transcribing and designing the cookbook, which will be ready to print in April 2026. Featuring everything from appetisers to desserts, the book reflects the diverse tastes and traditions of the village. The cookbook has been an exciting project which has bonded residents, evoking a sense of pride and strengthening the fellowship of the community.
The residents of The Aerie at Narrabundah is celebrating community spirit through their cookbook
The residents of Koorootang Court enjoyed a Flower Workshop where they were encouraged to bring flowers from their own gardens (where possible) and learn tips on creating a beautiful floral arrangement. Facilitator Paddy, guided residents through colour combinations, shape, texture and the use of common herbs to add both a point of difference and a touch of aroma. The feedback from residents was overwhelmingly positive and of course the community centre was smelling amazing. The residents loved it so much that now Paddy will be returning to the village for a Christmas wreath-making class.
The residents of Koorootang Court enjoyed a Flower Workshop
The Buderim Gardens hobby shop project supports residents with repairs and hobbies that can’t be completed safely or easily at home. Led by resident Ken, the team helps the village community by fixing everyday items and assisting residents with creative projects, such as painting crackle pots. With the support of the grant, the major focus of the project is restoring the village’s cast‑iron bench seats. Many of these seats have been part of the community for years and now need fresh paint and replacement timber. The restoration will make them safer, more comfortable and easier for residents to use as they move around the village.
Ken uses the sand blaster to refurbish the cast iron bench chair ends around the village
The residents of Waterford Valley Lakes have four dedicated groups — the Charity Group, Craft Group, Patchwork Group and Calico Dolls Group, who work in concert with each other to support the broader community through handmade clothing, toys, quilts and other meaningful items.
The Charity Group partners closely with Our Village (St Kilda Mums), supplying essential clothing and baby items to women and children experiencing hardship. Donations are collected and delivered monthly, with meetings held every two months. The residents donate children's clothing, nappies, toys and knitted squares and teddies which the Craft Group supports by stitching the knitted pieces together.
The four group of residents of Waterford Valley Lakes work together to support the broader community
The grant funding has enabled them to purchase yarn and other materials to help volunteers create a wide range of items for their chosen charities. Originally focused on personal projects, the Patchwork Group soon turned their skills toward helping others by using their 2024 and 2025 grants, along with resident donations, to purchase a sewing machine, tools, fabric and wadding. These were used to produce quilts now donated to Oz Comfort Quilts for distribution to various charitable organisations. Meanwhile, the Calico Dolls Group creates calico cloth dolls for the Monash Health Foundation, helping children and non-verbal adults better understand surgeries and medical procedures through visual demonstration. Together, these resident groups have created a wonderful way to connect, socialise and learn new skills while making a meaningful impact in the community.
For more information about the lifestyle and support offered at our retirement villages, call our customer service team on 1800 550 550 or send us an email here.
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