PENINSULA Grange Retirement Community has celebrated its 15th anniversary with an afternoon of reflection and festivity.
The celebration took place on 6 August and saw residents, staff, and leaders come together to reflect on the past 15 years.
Garry Karro, Regional Operations Manager for Retirement Communities Victoria, said reaching 15 years means a lot to Australian Unity and all the residents at Peninsula Grange.
“It’s great to see something that we actually built and put together now having a full life and full of residents and has been going now for 15 years,” said Karro.
“Fifteen years is a great milestone to achieve in a thriving village.”
He said they now have over 400 residents and that there is always something going on around the village.
“A village is at its best when you have the people engaging with each other, living in retirement, that’s what it’s all about,” said Karro.
“It’s about living with like-minded people and enjoying some great years together in a community of people who really enjoy the same things that you do.”
Karro said they ensure all their residents are supported and that the hard stuff gets taken care of.
“We maintain the lawns and gardens and all of the facilities, so they can just worry about what they’re doing next or who they’re meeting for tea or coffee,” said Karro. “
David Louden, who has been a resident for the past six years, said he chose Peninsula Grange for its facilities.
“The facilities and the gardens in this village are second to none in the whole area,” said Louden.
He said another reason he chose Peninsula Grange is due to the freedom.
“You can be involved in as much or as little as you want,” said Louden.
“In other words, you can lead your own life without getting too involved but also, you have the freedom to lock up and go away, knowing that your villa is totally secure and looked after.”
Louden said he has built a great community in the village and has made wonderful friends.
“That’s probably the most important thing, is you do make community, and particularly for a couple who move in and then, when unfortunately, one partner, passes on, the other partner’s already are part of a community,” said Louden.
“And so, they’ve got a lot of support around them.”
Louden is the president of the resident’s committee and said they have always enjoyed working with the management staff of the village.
“To manage a village is not the easiest process, and Australian Unity have always, since I’ve been here anyway, the managers have always been very good,” said Louden.
“They work very well with the residents.”
He said reaching 15 years means a lot to all of the residents and it’s nice to see the progression from where the village started to where it is now.
“It means a lot to everybody because it’s their village that they are very proud of,” said Louden.
First published in the Mornington News – 11 August 2026
