Cluedunnit night at the village was a 'killer' success

29 August 2025

Inspired by an event held in the Southern Highlands by Company Cluedunnit, the village team brought the idea to Annesley Bowral and let’s just say, residents didn’t need much convincing. The moment the concept was floated, there was an overwhelming response — all ready to dress up, play detective and sip champagne while solving a fictional crime.

The garden room and ballroom in the village transformed into a 1920s crime scene and the stage was set for a night of mystery and glamour. Each table took on a character role, complete with dossiers, character sheets, witness statements and coroner’s reports. The goal was to crack the codes, gather clues from other tables and figure out whodunnit. And the Annesley Bowral residents proved they’re not just stylish, they’re strategic too.

The lead-up to the event was buzzing with excitement, especially around the outfits. Think flapper dresses, pearls, feather boas, slick suits and cigarette holders, the garden room pre-dinner champagne was like a vintage runway show. Resident Lynda was so deep in character she was nearly unrecognisable, while another resident Trish nailed the 1920s look with a bowtie, slicked-back hair and a cigarette holder that screamed old-school cool.

Over 50 guests attended, including residents and their friends and staff. Residents absolutely loved the event, they praised the fun atmosphere, complimented everyone’s outfits and were eager to see it happen again, many even suggested making it an annual tradition. 

Annesley Bowral: 100 years and counting

22 November 2024

Annesley Bowral hosted a centenary celebration that brought together residents, past students and the broader community to honour its rich history.

Originally founded by Rev. John Hulme and Ted Boardman as a school in the Southern Highlands, the site evolved through many phases – from its days as Annesley School for Girls that opened in 1924 to a guest house and eventually a retirement village purchased by Keyton in 2007. Rita, a resident and an alumna who once studied at Annesley, says, “When I moved here, I knew my way around. The buildings are different now — what used to be a tuck shop is the office and there was a sewing room that’s no longer there. Some of the buildings have been demolished too.”

The event

The idea of the centenary celebration came from a shared sense of history between the residents who are alumni of the school as well as an external 'Annesley Old Girls' community. Together they wanted to mark the milestone. Village manager Sarah embraced the idea by helping to turn it into a great event.

The event featured a high tea catered by Labyrinth Catering, which runs the onsite café at the village. The event was attended by many residents along with 20 past students, who enjoyed exploring a curated display of old photographs, memorabilia and even an old school uniform. Resident Kerry presented a timeline comparing Annesley’s past as a school to its present as a retirement village, with insights from the Berrima Historical Society.

For Rita, who spent seven years in primary and high school at Annesley, the day brought back fond memories, “My fondest memories as a student were of boarding school. I loved being a prefect and having a room to myself — it felt so special. I suppose studying here set some standards for me. It was just a good place.”

Bridging the past and present

The event also brought back old connections. One resident shared, “I had a connection with one of the ‘old girls.’ I taught her brother and it was nice to reconnect.” As for Rita it was a chance to reflect on how much has changed yet stayed the same at the village, "It’s a cherished memory. Being at school here was special and living here now as a resident feels much the same. In my school days, this place felt like home and all these years later, it still does. Annesley Bowral is truly a warm and welcoming place to be."

The Annesley Bowral heat pump project

03 May 2024

As part of our broader sustainability strategy to reduce the reliance on gas at our villages and moving to electrical systems, a heat pump project was undertaken at Annesley Bowral. 

The pivot towards full electrification stems from the stark contrast between gas, a finite carbon-producing fossil fuel and electricity, which holds the potential for 'clean' power through solar technology. With grid electricity in Australia comprising 18% clean sources and set to increase, the shift away from gas is a step towards reducing carbon footprints.

At Annesley Bowral, the existing gas hot water systems was nearing the end of its life, so this presented an excellent opportunity to explore electric alternatives. The choice fell on a heat pump hot water system, known for its energy efficiency – and with NSW Government Rebates in place, the project was also cost-effective to bring to life.

Planning for success

The project's planning phase stretched over six months and involved a rigorous process of understanding and applying for the rebate scheme, conducting audits and scheduling installations.

This phase was crucial in setting the groundwork for a smooth execution and ensuring the residents knew what was going on in their village. They were able to ask questions in open forum Q&A sessions and get to know the people involved in making the transition happen.

During a focused 3 week implementation period, the team, including 4EVA Energy and village tradespeople, worked diligently to remove the old gas systems, install the necessary electric infrastructure and finally, set up the new heat pumps. Their hard work ensured a seamless transition with minimal disruption to the residents’ daily lives.

The impact and beyond

By adopting these heat pumps, which operate approximately 75% more efficiently than traditional gas/electric hot water systems, the residents can expect significant reductions in their household costs associated with heating water – with drops ranging from 25% to 40% based on individual consumption.

But that’s not all. Additional numbers from energy efficiency company 4EVA Energy also show a significant reduction of carbon emissions:

• Annual reduction of 82.57 tons of carbon emissions
• Up to 75% decrease in energy consumption compared to the previous system
• Annual conservation of 100,740 kWh of energy

The successful completion of these installations marks a significant milestone on Keyton’s sustainability journey.

Annesley Bowral wins 2023 Village of the Year award

19 April 2024

The residents and staff of Annesley Bowral gathered to celebrate after winning the title of ‘2023 Village of the Year’ by Keyton. 

A garden party was held to commemorate the winning celebrations. There was live music, delicious canapés, followed by a sit-down lunch to celebrate and recognise everyone's hard work that made Annesley Bowral stand out among its peers. Judy, resident for 6 years and an active member of the village’s garden community, expressed her delight, saying, “We’re ecstatic! We’re all just a family here.” 

Alison, who has been living in the village for 5 years, wholeheartedly agrees. She said, "I love the warmth of the community and the numerous activities available for the residents."

Village manager Sarah proudly reflected on the significance of the award, saying, "It's really nice to come together and recognise our achievements." She highlighted the criteria required to achieve this title which include resident engagement, collaboration and leadership in shaping the culture of the village.

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